A Vision Statement
This is an experiment! I’m “ghost posting” this essay (ie, no email distro), something I prepared for an application I’m submitting, lightly edited. Thanks for the encouragement
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Jewish texts are a gateway to a meaningful Jewish life. I have witnessed firsthand how Jewish text study can catalyze both personal and communal development. Our Talmud study group in Marin County, CA, which began as a simple Jewish learning group several years ago, has since evolved into a hub for deeply creative and committed Jewish communal entrepreneurs.
My vision is to expand this model, making text study a broadly accessible and foundational Jewish practice in my Bay Area community.
This effort is particularly urgent in an epoch of extraordinary change—socially, technologically, politically—where Jewish communities find it increasingly difficult to orient themselves and find purpose. It is my personal conviction that just as our tradition sustained the Jewish people through countless empires and technological upheavals, so too can it sustain us today. In an era of profound uncertainty, the Jewish community requires a renaissance of text study to anchor and guide us forward.
I envision a future where Jews of all ages, backgrounds, and religious orientations gather regularly in vibrant learning spaces that honor both tradition and innovation. While inspired by the traditional Beit Midrash, this endeavor would make Jewish wisdom more accessible through time-tested texts and thoughtful application of modern approaches.
My early efforts at fostering this culture include: leading Torah study groups as a volunteer through Iyun; leading small groups of men in nature-based experiences; and developing a co-working hub at my synagogue that integrates davening and Torah study into the workdays of our local remote workers. Drawing on my extensive tech background, I also envision a role for AI-powered tools to help make deep Jewish learning accessible and engaging. I am actively experimenting with AI-facilitated Torah learning, and have consulted with Artscroll on its utilization of AI.
As a rabbi, I would aspire to demonstrate how Jewish thought and practice can inspire a sense of purpose, agency, and optimism in the face of contemporary challenges. I feel confident that a continuing commitment to learning with XXX would be transformative for my development as an educational and spiritual leader. The program's unique combination of rigorous text study, leadership development, and mentorship from exceptional, forward-thinking rabbis would equip me with the skills and wisdom necessary to realize my vision. Moreover, I would hope to learn and draw inspiration directly from the pedagogical and communal model that XXX itself pursues in its programming. I want to become excellent at teaching Torah, and I believe this is where I can learn to do so.
I am, at heart, a deeply Jewish optimist. Despite today's apparent challenges, I believe that we're on the precipice of a future that will be more free, meaningful, and abundant. It is my sincere prayer that my work as a rabbi can help ensure that our Jewish lives are at the very heart of this abundant future.