Did Jew Know

In a time of deep polarization and uncertainty, the question, “What role should politics play in the spiritual life of Jewish congregations?” feels especially urgent. On Monday, November 10, more than 200 members of our Austin Jewish community gathered at the Dell JCC for an extraordinary evening exploring that very question.

The event, Politics from the Pulpit? A Conversation with Rabbi Rick Jacobs and Rabbi Avi Weiss, was part of the inaugural Jerome & Lois Rosenberg Memorial Lecture Series: Looking at Judaism from Both Sides. Sponsored by congregants Rick and Elyse Rosenberg in memory of Rick’s parents, this event brought together two of the most respected voices in modern Jewish leadership:
Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, and
Rabbi Avi Weiss, founder of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah and Maharat.

Together, they modeled what it means to disagree thoughtfully, engage respectfully, and lead with values rather than volume.

The exchange between Rabbi Rick Jacobs and Rabbi Avi Weiss was not a debate, it was a demonstration. They modeled what it looks like to live Jewish values through dialogue. In a world that too often rewards shouting over listening, their conversation was a reminder that how we speak to one another matters as much as what we say.

They disagreed. They challenged one another. And yet, they did so with humor, humility, and genuine curiosity. It wasn’t about winning an argument, it was about exploring truth together. Watching these two leaders engage so thoughtfully reminded me that this is exactly the kind of discourse our world needs more of, in our synagogues, our communities, and beyond.

As I listened, I realized that these themes aren’t just important to me personally, they’re essential for all of us. These ideas reach far beyond Austin, far beyond Reform or Orthodox, and far beyond any single congregation. They speak to the heart of what it means to build community in a time when division feels easier than connection.

Thoughts and Themes That Resonate
Listening to these two remarkable teachers, after having the privilege of joining a smaller breakfast conversation with Rabbi Jacobs, left me deeply moved and reflective. The conversations were not only insightful, but urgent. They illuminated challenges facing the Jewish people here in Austin, across the United States, and around the world.

Several key themes from the evening continue to echo for me, and I believe they are questions we all must engage with together:

Reactive vs. Proactive Judaism:
Rabbi Weiss spoke about the surge in reconnection and conversion to Judaism since the atrocities of October 7th, describing this as “reactive Judaism.” While this moment of renewed identity and solidarity is encouraging, he cautioned that it may not be sustainable unless we turn it into “proactive Judaism.” That means creating the kind of community and connection that inspire people to stay engaged not out of fear, but out of love, meaning, and purpose.

This message hit home for me personally; my own path back into Jewish communal life began as a reaction to uncertainty. But like so many, I’ve found that the deeper work is transforming that reaction into a sustained commitment to belonging. The question for all of us is this: How do we help others do the same?

Belonging and Affiliation:
Rabbi Jacobs offered a sobering observation: “There are now more Jews connected to nothing than to something.” For generations raised in a world that prizes independence and flexibility, traditional affiliation can feel restrictive. Yet Judaism has always thrived through relationships and community. The challenge and opportunity before us is to redefine connection in ways that are meaningful for today’s Jews, wherever they are on their journey.

Here in Austin, we have an incredible opportunity to lead that work. We can build pathways that make Jewish life feel open, relevant, and welcoming — not as an obligation, but as a source of joy and identity.

Leading Through Action:
Both rabbis reminded us that the most powerful sermon isn’t spoken from the bimah, it’s lived through our deeds. Leadership by example is timeless Jewish wisdom, and it applies to each of us. Whether through volunteering, philanthropy, or acts of kindness, our actions can speak louder than any sermon or speech.

Unity, Not Uniformity:
Perhaps the evening’s most vital lesson was this: common values matter more than common opinions. We are strongest when we embrace diversity of thought and experience. As Rabbi Weiss said, “Unity does not mean uniformity.” In fact, it’s through diversity of perspective, of practice, of background, that we grow wiser and more compassionate. The best model for a nation, he reminded us, is that of a family: one that can disagree deeply yet still remain bound by love.

A Call Beyond the Conversation
What struck me most was that these ideas aren’t theoretical, they are a roadmap for our future. The Jewish people, both here in Austin and across the globe, face the same central questions: How do we stay connected? How do we turn moments of crisis into movements of purpose? How do we model respectful dialogue in an age of polarization?

The answers, I believe, begin in rooms like the one we shared at Shalom Austin. Where conversation is rooted in curiosity, disagreement is met with respect, and connection grows from shared values.

This is not just about politics or the pulpit. It’s about people. It’s about who we are and who we aspire to be as a community.

As we move forward, may we carry these lessons with us: to listen with compassion, to lead through action, and to keep building bridges between each other, and between our past and our future.

A Night to Remember
This inaugural lecture was more than an event; it was an act of community building. It created a safe, thoughtful space for dialogue at a time when respectful disagreement feels increasingly rare.

My deepest gratitude goes to Rick and Elyse Rosenberg for their vision and generosity, to Shalom Austin for bringing our community together, and to Rabbis Jacobs and Weiss for reminding us that connection, to each other, to our values, and to our Jewish future, remains our most powerful path forward.

As we continue to navigate a complex world, may we remember that unity does not mean uniformity, and that living our values through action is the most powerful sermon of all.