Center for Jewish Learning and Sh’ma: Listen! Speaker Series present Community Scholar-in-Residence Rabbi David Jaffe for a series of events September 8-10, 2017.

Rabbi David Jaffe is the Founder and Principal of Kirva Consulting, which helps individuals and organizations access Jewish wisdom to build sustainable, healthy relationships and communities. His book, Changing the World from the Inside Out: A Jewish Approach to Personal and Social Change, won the 2016 National Jewish Book Award for Contemporary Jewish Life.

On Friday, September 8, Rabbi Jaffe will present “Heroes Are Made, Not Born- Mussar Wisdom for Living with Moral Courage.” How do we prepare ourselves for times that call for moral courage? Rabbi Jaffe will bring teachings from Mussar, a Jewish practice for cultivating moral traits. An optional dinner at Kol Rinah will take place at 7:15 pm ($15 adults, $8 youth), followed by Rabbi Jaffe’s presentation at 8:15 pm (free of charge). Reservations for dinner can be made directly through Kol Rinah at KolRinahSTL.org or 314-727-1747.

On Saturday, September 9, Rabbi Jaffe will present “Birth of Teshuva and the Roots of Israel Salanter’s Theory of Change.” Prepare for the High Holy Days by learning a key text on the emergence of Teshuva as a central component of Jewish spiritual life as we explore the roots of Rabbi Israel Salanter’s theory of change. A complimentary lunch will take place at 11:30 am, followed by Teaching at 12:30 pm at Bais Abraham Congregation. RSVP to Nancy Dubman at NDubman@JFedSTL.org or 314-442-3771.

Finally, on Sunday, September 10, Rabbi Jaffe will present “Fight Like a Mensch: Jewish Wisdom for Bringing our Best Selves to our Work for Social Justice.” Rabbi Jaffe will explore the integration of the inner life and activism. His recent book surveys teachings from Mussar and Hassidic Literature and applies them to community organizing, environmental and worker justice, and other campaigns for social change. He will facilitate a conversation about how to make activism more sustainable. Books will be available for sale and signing. This is part of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis’ Why Be Jewish Series. The program begins at 10:00 am at National Council of Jewish Women; a complimentary light breakfast will be served. RSVP to Nancy Dubman at NDubman@JFedSTL.org or 314-442-3771.

This program is co-sponsored by Saul Brodsky Jewish Community Library, Kol Rinah, Bais Abraham Congregation and the National Council of Jewish Women. Sh’ma Listen! is generously funded by the Lubin-Green Foundation, a supporting foundation of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, and Hank Webber and Chris Jacobs.