An Excellent Idea


(Picture Note: Progressive Rabbinical, Cantorial and Education students from around the world join with HUC alumni to celebrate Havdalah, the celebration at the end of the Sabbath to highlight the transition to the new week.)

Something special is happening this year at the Hebrew Union College, Jewish Institute of Religion in Jerusalem. My ego doesn’t exactly demand that I be part of that something special, but the fact that I am does add certain sweetness and should not take away from the fact that the idea about which I shall shortly speak is indeed excellent.

This year, for the first time in the institution’s history, HUC-JIR will host all first year students at the three major accredited “Progressive” Jewish rabbinical seminaries. That means that students from Leo Baeck College in London, Abraham Geiger Kolleg in Berlin and Hebrew Union College in LA, New York and Cincinnati have already joined together in Israel and are embarking on a unique experiment—the acknowledgement through definitive action of the importance of strengthening Progressive Judaism around the world.

It is indeed an experiment, and in a world where fractious religion reigns this represents a unique commitment. It is also good to be clear from the start that this is not an attempt to subject non-American Progressive Jews to some sort of predefined our-way-is-the-only-way. Had that been the case it would have been apparent from the first day. Rather, this has been presented to all as an opening up of the table for more seats that allow all to learn from all. Every new gathering that takes place with new guests the Leo Baeck and AGK students are introduced. Every time we are applauded. Every time folks want to know more—ask questions—express their excitement—express their support. Already the mere existence of this joining of programs has built amazing good will. Other students have already specifically said to me such things as, “I never wanted to have anything to do with Germany, but now I know I want to visit and see what this is about.” Another American student said to me last night, “It is hard to see the details of an event when you are at the beginning of it, but this seems like something that we’ll all look back on in 20 years and say ‘we were all there when it started.’” This is construction rather than destruction. This is a commitment to diversity rather than a commitment to provincialism. Is this not a definition of Tikkun Olam? Is this not one way that the world is little-by-little repaired? Yasher Koach to the leadership of these three organizations that took this amazing step.

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