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Fall Newsletter 2002
The concept of a united Jewish nation receiving the
Torah held special significance this past Shavuot as
hundreds of secular Israelis across the country
participated in open forums that enabled them to
celebrate the holiday in a comfortable and accepting
environment. The meetings, facilitated by students
from Amiel: The Rabbi Emanuel Rackman Practical
Rabbinics Program, are the continuation of
highly-successful holiday programs for the general
community run by Amiel over the past two years. |
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who will serve the Barcelona Jewish community, as Rabbis Birnbaum and Riskin look on. |
Held in 25 community centers across Israel, the Shavuot services incorporated traditional prayers and discussions that used the Book of Ruth as a take-off point for exploring subjects including the status of women in Judaism, conversion, the relevance of religion in a modern age and Judaism's relationship with agriculture. There were special services for youth and students, as well as Russian-language programs for recent immigrants. The holiday programs, which aim to make Judaism relevant and dynamic for every Jew, provide important hands-on experience for the Practical Rabbinics students. "Many Israelis have become distanced from their religion and generally lack knowledge of their history and culture," explains OTS chancellor Rabbi Shlomo Riskin. "We teach our rabbis to encourage all Jews to explore their heritage and reclaim their birthright."
