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Why I turned down an invitation to speak at Temple Emanu-El’s 180th anniversary Shabbat service

JL;DR SUMMARY Rabbi Andrue Kahn reflects on his decision to decline an invitation to speak at Congregation Emanu-El's 180th anniversary Shabbat service, driven by his discomfort with Zionist elements traditionally included in Reform worship and the presence of Israeli President Isaac Herzog. A way out west there was a fella, fella I want to tell you about, fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski. At least, that was the handle his lovin' parents gave him, but he never had much use for it himself. This Lebowski, he called himself the Dude. Now, Dude, that's a name no one would self-apply where I come from. But then, there was a lot about the Dude that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. And a lot about where he lived, likewise. But then again, maybe that's why I found the place s'durned innarestin'.

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Tags

Jewish CommunityZionismReform JudaismIsraeli PoliticsIsaac HerzogGaza ConflictCongregation Emanu ElHatikvahRabbi Andrue KahnEthical Judaism

Places mentioned

New York, United States
"I was thrilled and deeply honored when I got an invitation to participate in Congregation Emanu-Els 180th anniversary Shabbat service."
Gaza, Palestinian Territories
"Now, as Israel renews its war effort in Gaza, Herzogs objections have centered on the risk to Israeli hostages and soldiers, not to Gazans."
Israel
"Further, the inclusion of the Israeli national anthem in the service felt like a bridge too far."
Lebanon
"It would certainly not show my commitment to mercy, given the ongoing merciless onslaughts in Gaza and Lebanon."

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Cairo Item ID 48247
Cairo Source ID 42
Retrieved 2025-04-03 18:00:31 UTC
Curated 2025-04-03 19:00:48 UTC