My Cheese Guy: How Relationships and Interactions with Israelis Influence American Rabbinic Identity Formation

• In Event: American Jewry and Israel

Abstract

The Israel year of rabbinic studies provides a framework for examining the formation of rabbinic identity. Students from Hebrew Union College, the Jewish Theological Seminary, and the Ziegler School at American Jewish University are required to spend one year of their rabbinic education studying at sister institutions in Jerusalem. This paper argues that American Reform and Conservative rabbinical students’ interactions with Israelis are an important force in the students’ rabbinic identity formation, in particular as it relates to finding and defining their place in Jewish peoplehood; processing information and experiences in order to share them with others in a leadership capacity; and, shaping a more intimate relationship with Israel. Using qualitative data collected through observations and interviews during the 2011-2012 academic year, this paper explores selected interpersonal interactions; in particular, students’ interactions with Israelis in everyday life and students’ interactions with Israelis through school-sponsored seminars and MIFGASHIM. Several elements and types of interaction influence rabbinic identity formation. In terms of language, students may practice speaking Hebrew, deemed by their schools to be an essential skill for an American rabbi. Interacting with Israelis, in particular seeing the same people on a regular basis, helps the students achieve familiarity with Jerusalem and a sense of belonging. Conversations with Israelis, often with taxi drivers, wherein the students “come out” about studying to be rabbis are opportunities to explain Reform and Conservative Judaism and show that rabbinical students are a diverse group of people that includes women. The Israel Seminar at HUC and the inter-seminary Israel Experience Program give the students entrée for developing ties to institutions, colleagues, and peers in Israel. Across both formal and informal interactions, students have the opportunity to develop relationships and amass anecdotes to share in sermons and SHIURIM. Broadly defined, a relationship with Israel is a necessity for American rabbis. The interactions that the rabbinical students have during their year in Israel help shape that relationship, including raising questions about borderlines within Jewish peoplehood and the often fraught place of Reform and Conservative rabbis and rabbinical students in the Israeli socio-religious tapestry.

author

• Katherine (Katie) Light Soloway, Boston University