The Prompt

What does globalisation mean for micro traditions and small Jewish communities? How do we balance preserving these traditions and creating a unified community?

How does anti-semitism shape the Jewish community?

Compare Jewish life in the 1920s, 2020s, and the 2120s. What is the role of the synagogue? Educational Institutions? What is the essence of Jewish communal life?

What are the values of challenges of Jewish pluralism?

Orthodox Jews are sometimes viewed as narrow minded while progressive Jews are viewed as less committed. Address about this dynamic and the values underlying these approaches to Judaism.

1. The average person is more aware than ever of global crises such as climate change, genocide, disease, political polarization, and extreme poverty. What is the responsibility of Jewish communities regarding such crises? Pick one such social issue and propose an action plan for the Jewish community.

2. Argue for or against tikkun olam as an organizing principle of Jewish life in the coming decades.

3. What is a challenge that Judaism faces today?

4. Choose a social issue. What does Judaism have to say about this?

5. Failure of public discourse, polarization and social media: how do these issues seep into the Jewish community and what might response might Jewish communities have?

1. What is the role of religion in an increasingly secular world?

2. What is the essence of Judaism? Talk about the role of Halacha, God, or tradition.

3. Have our theological beliefs shifted, and what does this mean for our faith?

4. If you could poll all Jews who have ever lived on one question, what would you ask them?

5. Pick a text -- secular or religious, Jewish or not -- and reflect on its implications for Judaism or Jewish life.

1. If your theological beliefs differ from your community, what would you want others to understand about your Judaism?

2. Talk about an Jewish ritual object that is important to you.

3. Tell your Jewish story.

1. What is the process for halachic change? Who should have authority?

2. In a famous Talmudic story, Rabbi Yehoshua says that the ability to decide halacha is not in heaven -- "lo bashamayim hi." Discuss.

3. Talk about a specific halachic issue and the challenges it faces in the modern world.

4. Modernity is characterised by globalisation and access to information. We have access to translations of the Talmud and responsas from rabbis across the geographic and religious spectrum. How has this changed Jewish practice?