With only five percent of the world’s population, the United States has 25 percent of its prisoners. In per capita terms, our nation incarcerated eight to ten times as many people as other western democracies. The burden falls overwhelmingly on minorities. In this talk, Alan Elsner will examine the roots of this dysfunctional system, the Continue Reading »
By analyzing the leadership skills of seven recent US presidents, KS member Michael Eric Siegel seeks to de-mystify the elements and dynamics of effective presidential leadership and help citizens assess presidential candidates. Siegel shows that presidential leadership is exercised by real, flawed human beings, and not by superheroes or philosopher-kings beyond the reach of scrutiny Continue Reading »
Watch Theater J’s incomparable Artistic Director Adam Immerwahr in conversation with Rabbi Gil Steinlauf for a discussion on the intersection of Theater, Jewish Identity, and American racism and bigotry. In this session, we will address issues like: What is Jewish Theater, and how can it play a role in calling us to moral leadership in Continue Reading »
An in-depth exploration of classical Jewish texts and sources that can help us make sense of American racism and how best to respond as Jews in our time. With Rabbi Gil Steinlauf
The COVID-19 pandemic has raised a host of issues for all of us, including medical ones. This session will focus on some of the physical and mental health issues raised by the pandemic, exploring the topics through Jewish lens. With regard to physical health, we will consider appropriate standards for triage, the degree to which Continue Reading »
With James L. Stowe, Director, Montgomery County Office of Human Rights James L. Stowe (Jim) is a native of Belmont, North Carolina. Jim and his family relocated to Montgomery County Maryland to serve as the 4th Director of the Office of Human Rights. Jim has been instrumental in developing new program initiatives and re-positioning the Continue Reading »
Rabbi Gil Steinlauf When my great grandparents emigrated to America, they never dreamed of becoming a part of the privileged class of Americans. They only craved safety, security, and a chance to live in freedom. And certainly, the white American mainstream didn’t see these poor European Jewish refugees as white people–they didn’t even see the Continue Reading »
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A discussion on anti-Semitism, discrimination, and threats to religious liberty led by Kol Shalom member Michael Lieberman. Michael will share insights and observations on the current state of anti-Semitism, religious liberty, and civil rights in the United States — and prospects for progress as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic and move towards the 2020 elections. Continue Reading »
Every year on Yom Kippur afternoon, Thomas L. Friedman of the New York Times and Ambassador Dennis Ross of the Washington Institute stand and reflect on Israel and the state of the world. This year, when all bets are off, Yom Kippur comes early (without the fasting, but with plenty of reflection) as Ross and Continue Reading »