Over the past 14 months, the ongoing war in Gaza has been devastating in ways many of us could not have imagined—particularly coming from a Jewish state that many of us love dearly. The scale of violence and suffering seems endless, and the question of how to find hope or process the unthinkable can feel impossible. With so many words being thrown around, it’s easy to become overwhelmed, bogged down in discourse without knowing how to act or what it means for our communities.
As Jewish clergy, we find ourselves in a unique and challenging position. How do we make sense of the harsh realities? How do we engage in meaningful conversations when so many around us are deeply traumatized? This two-part clergy-only series is designed to help you confront some of the “stuckness” many of us are feeling. It will give you the opportunity to hear from experts, Torah scholars, and your fellow clergy—each of whom will help us navigate this moment with moral clarity and compassion.
This series is not just about understanding what’s happening in Gaza; it’s about understanding how we— as Jewish clergy—can respond to the crises of our time. It’s about creating a space for deep learning, self-reflection, and conversation across differences, and ultimately, how we can lead our communities through this time of trauma and moral challenge. After the series, we will provide a set of follow-up resources to help integrate this learning into your work, including readings, discussion guides, and links to ongoing support. Participation in both sessions is highly encouraged to fully engage with the learning.
Part II: Torah, Ethics, and the Power of Chevruta in Times of Moral Crisis — A Conversation with Rabbi Avigayil Halpern and Rabbi Shira Stutman
In the second session, we will delve into the ethical and moral quandaries posed by the current war through the lens of Torah. We’ll be joined by two Jewish clergy members from different perspectives, who will bring their unique insights to the table as they study Torah texts relevant to the moral challenges many of us are grappling with as this war continues on. This session will explore how Jewish tradition can guide us in these dark times and how we can engage in difficult conversations with integrity, compassion, and courage across differences. This session is intended to model a type of learning that we are hearing that many of you are seeking in your communities- nuanced, diverse, and deeply Jewish. After the Torah learning we will provide space for clergy to share reflections and questions they are sitting with.