CJL to launch community book discussion in March
So powerful and important is the written word in Jewish tradition that a folk saying instructs, “If you drop gold and books, pick up the books first and then the gold.”
The Coalition for Jewish Learning, the education program of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, is launching a program that its leaders hope will draw the community together around books and ideas.
“One Community, Two Books: 1,000 Opinions,” running from March 3-23, is a book discussion in which the entire Jewish community is invited to read, study and discuss two related books: “One People, Two Worlds,” an exchange of letters between Reform Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch and Orthodox Rabbi Yosef Reinman; and Chaim Potok’s 1967 novel of a Modern Orthodox boy’s encounter with Hasidim, “The Chosen.”
Dr. Steven Baruch, executive director of CJL, explained that the goals of the program are to “provide an enjoyable social intellectual experience and initiate a respectful community-wide discussion of meaningful issues.”
“One People, Two Worlds” received media attention because of its initial, apparent breakthrough dialogue between Reform and Orthodoxy and later because of Reinman’s withdrawal from the 17-city promotional tour after the Council of Torah Sages withdrew its approval of the project. Reinman now says that “the premise of the book was a mistake” (see related opinion, page 4).
Facilitated discussions of the two books will take place in several small groups throughout the city and will include exploration of issues including pluralism, interdenominational relations, Zionism and Israel, the role of women in Judaism, and how Jews can respectfully share their different perspectives.
“We are very enthused about this program because we are hopeful that these two books will provide our entire community with an entree into a very important discussion that the community should be having about critical issues,” said Rabbi David Fine, chair of CJL’s adult education task force, which is spearheading the program.
“We are very much aware that there has been some flap about one of the books. We are confident that in our community, despite what may have happened nationally, the [Reinman] book can be used to focus on what unites us and to create respect and humanity when we disagree.”
He added, “The program also provides a glimpse of the cutting edge work of the adult education task force,” which comprises a broad spectrum of educators and lay representatives who meet monthly to learn, share common concerns and discuss issues arising from their work.
Pluralistic leader
“One Community, Two Books: 1,000 Opinions” will open on March 3, 7-9 p.m., with a program at the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center featuring Rabbi Donniel Hartman, co-director of the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem and its director of education (see related article, page 1).
Considered a leading innovator in the field of pluralistic Jewish thought, Hartman will speak on “Building Jewish Community Dialogue: What Works,” focusing on factors that have encouraged successful dialogue among Jews.
“As we prepare for this community-wide discussion of the controversial book “One Community, Two Worlds,” Rabbi Hartman will share his insights regarding how dialogues among Jews of varying opinions have succeeded in other locations,” said Baruch.
Throughout the almost three-week event, discussion groups will convene at the following locations and times:
• March 6, 10:15 a.m. at North Shore Library, 6800 N. Port Washington Rd.
• March 8, 7:30-9 p.m. at Sherman Perk, 4924 W. Roosevelt Dr.
• March 11, 7:30 p.m. at Harry W. Schwartz Bookshop, 2559 N. Downer Ave.
• March 12, 1:30-3 p.m. at Harry W. Schwartz Bookshop in Mequon, 10976 N. Port Washington Rd.
• March 20, noon-1:30 p.m. at Borders Books & Music, Grand Avenue Mall, 101 W. Wisconsin Ave.
In addition, several sponsoring organizations plan to hold discussion groups for their members.
The event will close with a March 23 program at the JCC that will include a panel discussion with members of CJL’s adult education task force.
Co-sponsors are CJL and the 18 community institutions that are members of the task force: American Jewish Committee; Beth El Ner Tamid Synagogue; Congregations Anshai Lebowitz, Beth Israel, Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun, Emanu-El of Waukesha, Shalom, Shir Hadash and Sinai; the JCC; Hillel Foundation-Milwaukee; Lake Park Synagogue; Milwaukee Kollel Center; Tikkun Ha-Ir; Wisconsin Council of Rabbis; Wisconsin Society for Jewish Learning and the Women’s Division of MJF.
The program also receives funding from a grant from the Helen Bader Foundation.
All activities are free and open to the public. CJL will be distributing free reader’s guides during February to facilitate discussion. Copies of the books are available from sponsoring organizations, libraries and local bookstores.
For more information, contact CJL at 414-962-8860 or www.cjlmilwaukee.org.
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