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JTS Expanding the Conversation

JTS Expanding the Conversation

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 The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) presents Expanding the Conversation, a podcast that brings the thought-provoking discussions and dynamic scholarship of JTS directly to you. Drawing from live events, lectures, and panel discussions, this podcast goes beyond the moment—offering not only recordings of these programs but also exclusive interviews with speakers, scholars, and thought leaders.

Each episode explores the critical issues shaping the Jewish world today, from contemporary cultural moments to enduring questions of Jewish thought, practice, and identity. Whether you’re looking for intellectual engagement, spiritual insight, or a deeper connection to Jewish learning, Expanding the Conversation invites you to join the dialogue.

Subscribe now and bring the rich conversations of JTS wherever you go.
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  • Expanding the Conversation: Roy Peled

    Expanding the Conversation: Roy Peled
    May 22 2025
    What does it mean to be a Jewish and democratic state?

    In this episode, Dr. Roy Peled—legal scholar and former youth activist—reflects on the legal and political forces shaping Israel’s identity. Speaking at the Israel at a Crossroads convening, Speaking at the Israel at a Crossroads convening, Peled traces the unfinished story of Israel’s constitution and the impact of Basic Laws on minority rights—especially the Arab minority. With clarity and nuance, he unpacks the political forces behind the Nation-State Law, the shifting role of the judiciary, and the tensions between national identity and democratic principles. Peled brings both scholarly insight and personal conviction, inviting listeners to engage deeply with questions of power, belonging, and constitutional change in Israel today.
    Bio of Roy Peled

    Discussion Questions
    1. Constitutional Identity
      Dr. Peled discusses the absence of a formal Israeli constitution. What do you think are the implications—positive or negative—of defining a state's identity without a written constitution?
    2. Majority and Minority
      Peled highlights a lack of clear vision for the role of the Arab minority in Israel. How might a state balance national identity with full inclusion of minorities? What models from other countries, if any, come to mind?
    3. The Role of the Courts
      What tensions emerge between legal decisions that protect individual rights and those that shape public or national identity? How should courts navigate these tensions?
    4. Nuance in Debate
      Dr. Peled criticizes the polarization of conversations around Israel, both in Israel and abroad. What helps you hold space for nuance when discussing Israel’s identity and minority rights?
    5. Personal Values
      Dr. Peled identifies as a Zionist who believes in equality and democracy. How do your personal values shape how you engage in conversations about Israel? What assumptions do you bring to the table?
    Show Notes Video
    • Roy Peled speaking at Israel at a Crossroads
    Further Reading
    • Basic Law: Israel -- The Nation State of the Jewish People (Originally adopted in 2018)
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    28 Min.
  • Seth Farber

    Seth Farber
    May 22 2025
    In Israel today, the question of “Who is a Jew?” is not only legal—it’s deeply personal.

    In this episode of Expanding the Conversation, Rabbi Seth Farber, founder and director of Itim, reflects on the intersection of religious authority, individual identity, and democratic values. Drawing from biblical narratives, courtroom battles, and grassroots activism, Rabbi Farber explores how Israel’s religious bureaucracy impacts the lives of citizens at every major life cycle moment—marriage, burial, conversion—and what it will take to create a Jewish state that welcomes all Jews.

    Bio of Seth Farber
    Discussion Questions
    1. “Mi Eilah?” – Who Are These?
      Rabbi Farber frames his talk around Jacob’s biblical question, “Mi Eilah?” as a metaphor for how Israeli institutions question Jewish identity. How does this question resonate today, especially for converts, immigrants, and those outside the Orthodox mainstream?
    2. Pluralism and State Power
      What are the implications of having state-controlled religious institutions in a democratic society? What models might reflect a pluralistic vision of Judaism in Israel?
    3. Conversion and Inclusion
      What does the episode reveal about the experience of Jews by choice in Israel? What does it say about the boundaries of community and the authority to define Jewishness??
    4. Judaism and Zionism
      Farber argues that Judaism is not an afterthought in the Zionist story, but central to it. How do you interpret the relationship between Judaism and Zionism today?
    5. Hope and Responsibility
      Despite the bureaucratic and legal challenges, Rabbi Farber speaks of being “blessed to live in this moment.” What gives you hope when thinking about Jewish identity and the future of the Jewish people?
    Video/Image
    • Seth Farber speaking at Israel at a Crossroads
    Further Reading
    • Itim: The Jewish Life Advocacy Center
    • Seth Farber "The Chief Rabbinate's blacklist isn't defending Judaism. It's undermining it." JTA (July 10, 2017)--Farber referred to this article in his talk.
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    32 Min.
  • Rakefet Ginsberg

    Rakefet Ginsberg
    May 22 2025
    What does Jewish pluralism actually look like in Israel today?

    In this episode of Expanding the Conversation, Rakefet Ginsberg, Executive Director of the Masorti Movement in Israel, reflects on how Israelis are redefining religious identity and reclaiming spiritual space—from the egalitarian Kotel to public Yom Kippur services in Tel Aviv. Drawing on her work at the grassroots level, she offers stories of coexistence, struggle, and hope, and makes a compelling case for expanding access to Judaism that is both meaningful and inclusive.

    Bio of Rakefet Ginsberg

    Discussion Questions
    1. Pluralism in Practice
      Rakefet Ginsberg described the egalitarian section of the Kotel as a space where diverse Jewish expressions coexist. What does this tell us about how pluralism functions outside of formal policy? What challenges and opportunities does this model present?
    2. Ownership of Judaism
      Ginsberg emphasizes the need for Israelis to "take ownership" of their Judaism. What might that look like in practice—for religious, secular, and traditional Jews?
    3. Building Trust Across Difference
      How can trust be built between communities with vastly different religious worldviews? What lessons can we take from Ginsberg’s conversation with Rabbi Eliezer Melamed?
    4. The Role of Institutions
      What role should state institutions like the Chief Rabbinate play in defining or regulating Jewish life in Israel?
    5. Sources of Hope
      In difficult times, Ginsberg points to community, song, prayer, and memory as sources of hope. What spiritual or communal practices sustain you in moments of challenge?
    Show Notes
    Video
    • Rakefet Ginsberg speaking at Israel at a Crossroads
    Further Reading
    • Masorti Movement
    • Rabbi Eliezer Melamed "The Reform Jews Prayer in ‘Ezrat Yisrael’" Weekly Article Revivim (July 24, 2021)
    • Rabbi Daniel Gordis "The one where Yom Kippur escaped from the synagogue..." Israel from the Inside (October 9, 2022)
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    29 Min.
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