‘Identity politics have caused us to forget about our common bonds’

Rabbi Isaiah Rothstein has a lot to say about race, diversity and inclusion in Judaism, and it comes from a place of deep experience – Rothstein grew up in a multiracial Chabad family in Monsey, New York.

Rothstein, who says his was the only multiracial family in Monsey, has been extensively interviewed about his experiences and has written about them as well.

A modern Orthodox rabbi, he is a Rabbinic Scholar and public affairs adviser for The Jewish Federations of North America. He is also a social worker and musician.

Rothstein, who lives with his wife in the Harlem neighborhood in New York City, sees himself as a human bridge, connecting disparate parts of the Jewish community.

“We all have multiple stories. Identity politics have caused us to forget about our common bonds,” he said in a recent interview.

On Nov. 19 at 7 p.m., Rothstein will lead a community conversation, via Zoom, on race, inclusion and related subjects. The event, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island and 11 community synagogue and agency partners. Preregistration is required. For more information, contact Stephanie Hague at shague@jewishallianceri.org.

– Fran Ostendorf