VE’AHAVTA ET HAGER: Life Beyond the Border

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Rabbi Brent Spodek
LOCATION: Temple Beth David of Cheshire

The story most strongly associated with the holiday of Shavuot is that of Ruth, whose Biblical book is traditionally read during the holiday. Ruth’s story is one of traversing boundaries both physical and spiritual, of leaving everything behind to embrace her calling and follow her mission. This is no simple feat; in this session, we will explore what it means to straddle the line of belonging.

Rabbi Brent Chaim Spodek is a Faculty Associate Fellow at Pardes North America. He has been recognized by the Jewish Forward as one of the most inspiring rabbis in America, by Hudson Valley Magazine as a Person to Watch, and by Newsweek as “a rabbi to watch.” He is a Senior Rabbinic Fellow of the Shalom Hartman Institute and a Fellow of the Schusterman Foundation. Rabbi Brent has been spiritual leader at Beacon Hebrew Alliance since 2010; prior to that, he served as Rabbi in Residence at American Jewish World Service and was the Marshall T. Meyer Fellow at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun in New York. Rabbi Brent holds rabbinic ordination and a master’s degree in philosophy from the Jewish Theological Seminary, where he was the first recipient of the Neubauer Fellowship.

The New Haven Beit Midrash is presented in partnership with Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek, Congregation B’nai Jacob, Ezra Academy, Beth El-Keser Israel (BEKI), Congregation Mishkan Israel, Temple Beth David, Temple Emanuel, Temple Beth Tikvah, Or Shalom and Westville Synagogue.