Letter | Differences among denominations will make us stronger
Dear Editor,
Regarding the Forward’s recent article, “Will Jewish denominations survive the pandemic: 30 rabbis weigh in,” whether we ultimately see the collapse of denominations or their preservation, clergy must be well trained to unite diverse Jewish communities. The strength of any community lies, not so much in the capacity of its members to agree on issues, as in their capacity to disagree – in healthy, constructive ways that deepen their bond. Students training for the rabbinate and cantorate must be able to teach healthy ways to disagree.
I am a rabbinical student at the Academy for Jewish Religion in Yonkers, N.Y., a pluralistic seminary training rabbis and cantors to serve all Jews. For almost 65 years, AJR has trained students to cherish – and learn from – different perspectives, whether we ultimately adopt those perspectives for ourselves or not. The denominational affiliations of AJR faculty and students reflect the diversity of the Jewish people as a whole.
As a public service during this pandemic, the Forward is providing free, unlimited access to all coronavirus articles. If you’d like to support our independent Jewish journalism, click here.
Since long before the COVID-19 pandemic, AJR has used video-conferencing technology to bring together students and teachers from across the United States and abroad – to study, pray, meditate, celebrate and provide comfort – using a wide range of Jewish approaches. Regardless of where our students are – physically, theologically or spiritually – we learn how to create community among Jews with different religious outlooks and practices. An essential lesson I have taken from AJR is that our chief concern should be – not whether denominational divisions will endure – but what strategies we can use to help assure that inevitable differences within communities will make those communities stronger.
Sincerely,
Nicole Belson Goluboff
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning journalism this Passover.
In this age of misinformation, our work is needed like never before. We report on the news that matters most to American Jews, driven by truth, not ideology.
At a time when newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall. That means for the first time in our 126-year history, Forward journalism is free to everyone, everywhere. With an ongoing war, rising antisemitism, and a flood of disinformation that may affect the upcoming election, we believe that free and open access to Jewish journalism is imperative.
Readers like you make it all possible. Right now, we’re in the middle of our Passover Pledge Drive and we still need 300 people to step up and make a gift to sustain our trustworthy, independent journalism.
Make a gift of any size and become a Forward member today. You’ll support our mission to tell the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
Only 300 more gifts needed by April 30