On Persuasion

This summer, we’ve been thinking a lot about persuasion. At a time when our national politics feel very polarized, the Jewish community often finds itself in the uncomfortable position of straddling a divide that threatens to turn into a chasm. Debate, persuasion and civil discourse are the means of bridging that divide — radical acts in our day and age. But they are also central tenets of Judaism, and reminders of the importance of our heritage to our current moment.

We asked thought leaders to consider what persuasion means to them. What works in terms of persuading people? What is the Jewish value of persuasion? Should we be opening our minds to other points of view, or closing them to dangerous ideas? Is it moot in 2020?

Here are the essays in our ongoing series.