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Home » Events » Responding to Instability: Viewing our Democracy Through the Lens of 9 Av

Responding to Instability: Viewing our Democracy Through the Lens of 9 Av

Tuesday, August 13, 2024 - 1:00 pm EDT
Flyer with an American flag, the Constitution, and event details for Responding to Instability webinar.

In this session, we will reflect on how the observance of Tisha B’Av might guide us in responding to the instability in our democracy. What might our tradition’s stories of resistance, destruction and survival teach us about how to respond to the current crisis?  How could the practice of mourning sustain our capacity for hope as we face the challenges of the moment.

Speakers: Rabbi William Plevan, Rabbi Sandra Lawson and Rabbi Salem Pearce.

This program is co-sponsored by Reconstructing Judaism Democracy Fellowship in honor of Rabbi Nancy Fuchs Kreimer, Ph.D., RRC ‘82, and Rabbi Mordechai Liebling RRC ’85.

Speakers

Rabbi William Plevan in a book-lined office

About Rabbi William Plevan

Rabbi Dr. William Plevan writes on modern Jewish thought, theology, and ethics and teaches at the Jewish Theological Seminary, Gratz College, and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. He currently serves on the board of T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights and has served as president of Matan, an organization devoted to promoting special needs Jewish education.

Person smiling while sitting in a chair, wearing a light blazer and black top, with flowers in the foreground.

About Rabbi Sandra Lawson

Rabbi Sandra Lawson received ordination from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 2018. She grew up in a military family and holds a Master of Arts degree in Sociology from Clark Atlanta University. She has served in the United States Army and owned a personal training business. Rabbi Sandra has also worked as an Adjunct Instructor of Sociology and has served as an Investigative Researcher for the Anti-Defamation League. Her vision as a Rabbi is to help build a more inclusive Jewish community where all who want to come are welcomed, diversity is embraced, and we can come together to learn and to pray. She currently serves as the Associate Chaplain for Jewish Life and the Jewish Educator at Hillel at Elon University, in Elon North Carolina.

Smiling person with glasses and a colorful headband stands near a tree in a green, blurred outdoor setting.

About Rabbi Salem Pearce

Rabbi Salem Pearce (she/her) is Director of Spirituality at the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life (ISJL). She was ordained by Hebrew College Rabbinical School in 2018 and previously served as Executive Director of Carolina Jews for Justice and Director of Organizing at T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights. She is a noted speaker and writer on immigration and the Jewish community, and her writing has appeared in JTA, Ha’aretz, Sojourners, and Sh’ma. While in school, she was a student fellow with Rabbis Without Borders, American Jewish World Service, and T’ruah. Rabbi Salem lives in Jackson, Miss., with her cats, Akiva and Tuvi.

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