This Week’s Guest: David Wolpe
David Wolpe is the Max Webb Senior Rabbi of Sinai Temple in Los Angeles, one of America’s flagship Conservative synagogues. The author of eight books and countless essays and articles, including in Mosaic, he is one of America’s leading rabbis.
Wolpe recently sat with Eric Cohen, the executive director of the Tikvah Fund, to discuss the vulnerabilities and strengths of non-Orthodox Judaism—or what he calls “non-literalist” Judaism—in America. Their conversation also takes in such issues as religious freedom, Jewish politics, the biblical figure of David, the importance of the Hebrew language, the work of an American rabbi, and more. In this conversation you’ll hear a major communal leader not only speculating about the future of his own denomination but also describing and assessing pockets of American Jewish vitality in this hinge historical moment.
Ever thought about entering the rabbinate and becoming a congregational leader yourself? Curious about what your own rabbi goes through on a daily basis, or thinks about the movement you share? Listen now to find out.
Musical selections in this podcast are drawn from the Quintet for Clarinet and Strings, op. 31a, composed by Paul Ben-Haim and performed by the ARC Ensemble, as well as “Shining Through the Rain” by Big Score Audio.
Listen via iTunes Podcasts | Google Play | Stitcher | Spotify
Background
Every Thursday, the Tikvah Podcast at Mosaic will bring to to your car/earbuds/home stereo/Alexa the latest in our efforts to advance Jewish thought. For more on the new podcast, check out our inaugural post here and listen to our background episode here:
A final note: If you would like to share your thoughts on the podcast, ideas for future guests and topics, or any other form of feedback, just send us an email at [email protected]. We’re grateful for your support, and we look forward to a new year of great conversations on Jewish essays and ideas.