Two decades in the life of Amichai Lau-Lavie, a spiritual Pied Piper for countless disenfranchised Jews, are captured on film in ways that will resonate deeply with many.
This is a profile of a fascinating person who raises profound issues that many face and many avoid. The reality is that, as he shows us, we should focus more on building who we are than saying what we (and others) are not. One need not accept his beliefs and views to acknowledge that he is one who seriously confronts the conflict between Jewish tradition and the modern age.
And -- just as with the early reformers of Judaism at the start of the 19th century -- he meets a need for some in the era. Whether such views last or do not is somewhat irrelevant at this point. That's because he is keeping a door open toward experiencing Jewish life and living and not slamming the door in the face of some. Whether one wants to follow his understandings is a wholly personal issue... and I was taught not to judge others in such ways.
The real question, of course, is whether this can take in smaller communities and/or contribute to the broader Jewish community in ritual, writings and teachings. That, in part, will depend on the rest of us.
I suspect the only reason JTS accepted him as a student was to be able to brag that they had a graduate closely related to the Chief Rabbinate 'dynasty.' He should have been weeded out at his interview and given a suggestion to apply to HUC.
I imagine that JTS eventually regretted it's decsion to ordain him.
This is a profile of a fascinating person who raises profound issues that many face and many avoid. The reality is that, as he shows us, we should focus more on building who we are than saying what we (and others) are not. One need not accept his beliefs and views to acknowledge that he is one who seriously confronts the conflict between Jewish tradition and the modern age.
And -- just as with the early reformers of Judaism at the start of the 19th century -- he meets a need for some in the era. Whether such views last or do not is somewhat irrelevant at this point. That's because he is keeping a door open toward experiencing Jewish life and living and not slamming the door in the face of some. Whether one wants to follow his understandings is a wholly personal issue... and I was taught not to judge others in such ways.
The real question, of course, is whether this can take in smaller communities and/or contribute to the broader Jewish community in ritual, writings and teachings. That, in part, will depend on the rest of us.
I suspect the only reason JTS accepted him as a student was to be able to brag that they had a graduate closely related to the Chief Rabbinate 'dynasty.' He should have been weeded out at his interview and given a suggestion to apply to HUC.
I imagine that JTS eventually regretted it's decsion to ordain him.