Community Scholar-in-Residence: Rabbi David Jaffe
Community Scholar-in-Residence: Rabbi David Jaffe
Heroes are Made, Not Born – Mussar Wisdom for Living with Moral Courage
Friday, September 8
7:15 pm Optional dinner 7:15 pm ($15 adults, $8 youth)
8:15 pm Presentation
Location: Kol Rinah, 829 N. Hanley Road, 63130
How do we prepare ourselves for times that call for moral courage? How do we grow in our ability to stand up for what we believe? Rabbi Jaffe will introduce us to the Jewish teachings and practice of Mussar, which can help guide us in cultivating our moral traits, enabling us to bridge the gap between aspiration and behavior.
Reservations for dinner can be made directly through Kol Rinah at KolRinahSTL.org or 314-727-1747.
Birth of Teshuva and the Roots of Israel Salanter’s Theory of Change
Saturday, September 9
11:30 am Complimentary Lunch
12:30 pm Teaching
Location: Bais Abraham Congregation, 6910 Delmar Blvd., 63130
We will learn 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 and growth. Salanter is considered the father of Mussar.
RSVP to Nancy Dubman at NDubman@JFedSTL.org or 314-442-3771.
Fight Like a Mensch: Jewish Wisdom for Bringing our Best Selves to Our Work for Social Justice
A Talk and Workshop Based on Rabbi Jaffe’s Award-Winning Book: Changing the World from the Inside Out: A Jewish Approach to Personal and Social Change
Sunday, September 10
10:00 am-12:00 pm Complimentary light breakfast
Location: National Council of Jewish Women, 295 N. Lindbergh Blvd., 63141
Rabbi Jaffe will explore the integration of the inner-life and activism. His book surveys Mussar and Hassidic teachings and applies them to community organizing, environmental and worker justice, and other campaigns for social change. We will reflect on how to make our activism wiser and more sustainable, and how Jewish wisdom can help inspire us to become more engaged in the work of social justice. All are welcome – adults and teens, activists and the not-yet-activist, as well as anyone interested in Jewish thought on social change. Books will be available for sale and signing.
RSVP to Nancy Dubman at NDubman@JFedSTL.org or 314-442-3771.
For further information on our Scholar-in-Residence weekend or other Center for Learning classes and speakers, contact Rabbi Tracy Nathan at RabbiNathan@JFedSTL.org or 314-442-3757.
About the Speaker
Rabbi David Jaffe is the author of Changing the World from the Inside Out: A Jewish Path of Personal and Social Change, winner of the 2016 National Jewish Book Award for Contemporary Jewish Life. He is the Founder and Principal of Kirva Consulting, which helps individuals and organizations access ancient Jewish wisdom to build sustainable, healthy relationships and communities. He lives in Sharon, MA with his wife and two teenage boys.
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.