The Midwife: Portrait of a Congregational Rabbi as a Teacher of Adults

Abstract

Almost no literature in the academic field of Jewish education exists that studies congregational rabbis as teachers of adults. This article seeks to contribute to filling the gap in the extant literature base. Using portraiture, the study describes and analyzes the aims of rabbinic teaching of adults in a synagogue setting. The findings suggest that regularly facilitating learners' intellectual and religious development, democratically guiding their communities' evolution through an emphasis on learning, and collaboratively joining their congregants in shaping the construction of personal and communal Jewish narratives are central aims of congregational rabbinic teaching of adults.

Notes

¹This study was part of dissertation research that included two other rabbis in it. The dissertation was completed in 2010.

²A Jewish advocacy organization to help synagogues, founded in 2000. For further information, consult their website (http://www.jesna.org/sosland/resources/complementary-education/star-synagogue-transformation-and-renewal).