‘Jews Embracing Jews’

It is said, “Make yourself a heart of many rooms and bring into it the words of the House of Shammai and the words of the House of Hillel.” (Mishnah Sota 7:12)

Jewish identity is expressed through a wide array of beliefs and practices. Jews gain strength from one another, and the Jewish people become richer and stronger when we are able to understand and embrace Jews who believe differently than we do. We have a great opportunity to learn more about each other’s deeply held beliefs, practices and struggles in a safe and respectful environment. 

On Jan. 10, Rabbi Barry Dolinger of Congregation Beth Sholom will examine the many shades and colors of contemporary Orthodoxy both in the U.S., Israel and abroad, tracing the origins of Orthodoxy as a reaction to the beginning of the Reform movement in Europe.

In particular, he will discuss the views of great Orthodox scholars and describe the social and ideological manifestations of Orthodoxy today. This program will take place at 6:45 p.m. at Temple Habonim, 165 New Meadow Road, Barrington.

On Jan. 31, Rabbi Andrew Klein of Temple Habonim will examine the beginnings of the Reform movement in Germany in the late 1700s and early 1800. He will delve into how and why it came to be, how the Reform movement changed when it came to the United States in the 1800s and how it has evolved through the years. He will look at ways that the Reform movement has begun to embrace many of the traditions which it had earlier rejected. This program will take place at 6:45 p.m. at Temple Beth Sholom, 275 Camp St., Providence.

Rabbi Barry Dolinger received his ordination from RIETS affiliated with Yeshiva University in 2011. Previously, he served as an intern at the Beth Din of America and Adereth El in Manhattan. He currently serves as the Rabbi of Congregation Beth Sholom in Providence.  He’s a member of the Rabbinical Council of America, the largest body of Orthodox Rabbis in the United States, and also a member of the International Rabbinic Fellowship. He also practices law in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.     

Rabbi Andrew Klein grew up in the Reform movement and was ordained by Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion (the Reform movement’s seminary) in 2001. He served Hevreh of Southern Berkshire in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, as associate rabbi for six years, and he has served as rabbi of Temple Habonim in Barrington for the last seven years.