Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
I can personally attest to Rabbi Shaffin’s ability to change lives, as he very literally changed mine. Nearly three years after I had begun my path toward conversion but had been unable to find someone who both inspired me and was willing to really welcome me into the Jewish community, Rabbi Royi took me in with open arms and affirmed that I could be as much a part of this community as anyone born into it. Through him I was able to finally finish my conversion, and my Jewish identity has become an integral part of my being. He is perfect in his role at a progressive Conservative shul in a Southern city, focusing on reaching out to young people in an area where figuring out how to live a spiritual Jewish life can be so difficult. He is also able to masterfully reach out to the greater non-Jewish community and help them feel comfortable and welcome at holiday services without compromising the fully Jewish nature of these services for his congregation. Rabbi Shaffin makes great efforts to both increase Jewish visibility in a city where this is certainly needed and empower his congregants to embrace and proudly champion their Jewish identity.
— Hali Johnson
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover. All donations are being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
