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Connecting Jewish Identity and Public Life in San Diego

By Judy Epstein, Director of Public Affairs

On November 8 and 9, Rabbi Brad Hirschfield, CLAL's Director of Leadership and Communities, came to San Diego to lead two Jewish leadership programs hosted by the United Jewish Federation (UJF) of San Diego. The first event, for the UJF's young leadership steering committee, a group of about 50 young professionals 25-45, focused on different models of Jewish leadership. The second, a senior round table for a group of successful hi-tech people in their 30's and 40's, looked at what do you do now that you've made it, and how to connect a Jewish identity with a world vision.

"What is the link between personal identity and civic engagement?" asked Rabbi Hirschfield. "As Jews, do we have a broader public responsibility? These are the questions we must address, using our inherited wisdom for guidance, but moving beyond to consider the contemporary issues of our time."

He continued, "If we widen the filter of what we call religious activity, we can begin to include a whole host of actions, from voluntarism to philanthropy. But we must open the lens and experience those activities religiously."

The participants, who ranged in connection to local Jewish communal activities, were interested in exploring what Jewish life could look like for them. Some had studied with CLAL before and were familiar with CLAL's teaching methods of generating animated conversations on new Jewish thought and practice.

"CLAL asks us to consider our own definitions of being Jewish. By exploring our own notions, we are better able to create effective paradigms of Jewish leadership ready to meet the challenges ahead," said Julie Datnow, co-chair of the UJF young leadership steering committee.

The November 8th and 9th programs were the second in a four-part series offered by CLAL. The third, scheduled for December, will be a Shabbaton led by Rabbi Steve Greenberg.