The Torah of Community Relations

The Torah of Community Relations is a dynamic learning series that brings together Jewish community relations professional and lay leaders to explore seminal Jewish texts that resonate with the values and practices of community relations.

Through deep study and discussion, participants will uncover timeless Jewish wisdom that can inspire and guide their work in building bridges, fostering dialogue, and promoting social justice.

This series offers a unique opportunity to connect Jewish tradition directly to the challenges and opportunities we face in our efforts to strengthen and unify communities. These sessions are open to anyone and no prior Jewish learning experience is necessary.

This is an opportunity to learn texts you may not have seen before (or see some old texts in new light), add to your repertoire of texts to use to inspire your communities, and engage in a deeper discussion about the ways in which we do our work.

Session Schedule:

3pm Eastern/12noon Pacific time

September 16, 2025 | The Cries of the Shofar: The Matriarchs and Radical Empathy

October 28, 2025 | Breaking Walls, Opening Doors: The Deposition of Rabban Gamliel

December 16, 2025 | When the Darkness Closes In: Adam and the First Chanukah

January 20, 2026 | The World Ablaze: Abraham’s Burning Question

February 17, 2026 | Hiding and Seeking: The Leadership Moves of Moses and Esther

March 24, 2026 | When We Went Back to Egypt: The Legacy of Passover

April 30, 2026 | Grabbing Life By the Tail: The Serpent in Jewish Tradition

May 19, 2026 | Voices of Revelation: The Many Torahs at Sinai

Rabba Rori Picker Neiss is the Senior Vice President and Rabbi in Residence at the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. Prior to that she was Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of St. Louis. She is one of the first graduates of Yeshivat Maharat.