Ammiel Hirsch: 'What Did We Do Wrong?' Peoplehood and the Reform Movement [Denominations 2/5]

This series is sponsored by Joel and Lynn Mael in memory of Estelle and Nysen Mael. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we talk to Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, senior rabbi of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue and a leader of the Reform Movement, about the way Jewish Peoplehood is understood among the non-Orthodox majority of American Jews. Rabbi Hirsch is known in the Reform Movement and beyond for his decades-long staunch commitment to Jewish Peoplehood. We recorded this interview before Oct. 7, and especially considering Rabbi Hirsch’s leadership on issues related to Zionism, a follow-up conversation with him will follow shortly. In this episode we discuss: Where should the State of Israel fit into our priorities as a people? How has Reform Judaism course-corrected its views on Jewish Peoplehood over time? How can we be a unified people when we can’t always agree on who is a Jew? Tune in to hear a conversation about how we might improve the state of interdenominational relations. Interview begins at 19:50. Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch is a leader of the Reform Movement. He is the senior rabbi of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue and former executive director of the Association of Reform Zionists of America/World Union for Progressive Judaism, North America. He wrote two books: The Lilac Tree: A Rabbi's Reflections on Love, Courage, and History (2023) and One People, Two Worlds: A Reform Rabbi and an Orthodox Rabbi Explore the Issues That Divide Them (2003), which he co-authored with Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Reinman. References: One People, Two Worlds: A Reform Rabbi and an Orthodox Rabbi Explore the Issues That Divide Them by Ammiel Hirsch and Yaakov Yosef Reinman The Impostor by Avner Gold 18Forty Podcast : “ Altie Karper: When a Book Is Banned ” “ The Believer ” by Armin Rosen “ Dissent in the Reform Ranks ” by Armin Rosen The Lilac Tree: A Rabbi's Reflections on Love, Courage, and History by Ammiel Hirsch The Book of Jewish Values: A Day-by-Day Guide to Ethical Living by Joseph Telushkin “ Who Can Be Called Rabbi? ” by Gil Student “ Shomer Yisroel ” by Omek Hadavar Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support .