Rebuilding Democracy
Challenged by Rabbi Holzman in his 5779 Kol Nidre sermon, NVHC is embarking on a variety of projects that seek to help us rebuild our democracy, from creating a space for open and honest conversation, to inviting engaging and relevant speakers, to action. We do this in covenant with one another – by asking questions, by sharing viewpoints, and by saying “shamati” – I have heard you. We will do this both as individuals and as a community. Together, as a Jewish community, we work to demonstrate that we can begin to overcome the polarization that has taken hold of our country.
Scroll down to view the latest events in our Rebuilding Democracy Project.
Click the links below to read articles about the Project:
Project Components
- Building relationships
- Teaching what is “politics”
- Taking democratic action
- Connecting Jewish wisdom to democracy’s fundamentals
- Addressing bewilderment with Jewish experience in the wilderness
- Elevating cynicism and despair as spiritual issues
- Putting chesed above party
- Hearing ideas fully (shamati)
- Experiencing viewpoint diversity (eilu v’eilu)
- Experiencing diversity in community (kehillah)
- Sanctfying the process with blessing
- Teaching mahloket l’shem shamayim
- Using parshanut to address complex narratives
- Connecting personal aspiration to the text through midrashic process
The Rebuilding Democracy Project was awarded the Lippman Kanfer Prize for Applied Jewish Wisdom in March, 2019. Click the image above to learn more about our application and the prize!
The COVID Interfaith Call
Published by The Aspen Institute, this article by Rabbi Holzman explores the need for interfaith relationships and leadership at this moment. The article was followed by a moderated webinar conversation between Rabbi Holzman and Pastor Bob Roberts of NorthWood Church.
