DeepSummary
The podcast episode features a discussion about the inclusion of religious commentary on the Torah portion of the week (parsha) in Jewish Currents, a historically secular Jewish magazine. While some readers welcomed this addition as a source of spiritual fortification, others criticized it as a betrayal of the magazine's secularist roots and commitment to separating religion from public discourse.
The conversation highlights a generational divide, with older guests like Mitch Abidor and Judy Rosenbaum arguing that engaging with religious texts undermines Jewish Currents' secular identity and risks opening the door to fundamentalism. In contrast, younger editors Ariel Angel and Nathan Goldman view the parsha commentary as a way to explore Jewish identity and politics through a traditional hermeneutic practice, without necessarily embracing religious authority.
The debate touches on broader questions about the meaning of secularism, the role of religion in left-wing politics, and the evolving nature of American Jewish identity. While some see secularism as a rejection of religion, others view it as a pluralistic approach that allows for individual spiritual exploration alongside a commitment to separating church and state in the public sphere.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The inclusion of Torah commentary in Jewish Currents sparked a heated debate about the role of religion in secular Jewish spaces and progressive politics.
- Older guests like Mitch Abidor and Judy Rosenbaum viewed the parsha commentary as a betrayal of Jewish Currents' secular roots and a dangerous embrace of religion.
- Younger editors Ariel Angel and Nathan Goldman argued that engaging critically with religious texts is a way to explore Jewish identity and politics through a traditional hermeneutic lens, without necessarily endorsing religious authority.
- The discussion highlighted generational divides in how American Jews understand the relationship between religion, secularism, and Jewish identity.
- While some view secularism as a total rejection of religion, others see it as allowing for individual spiritual practice alongside a separation of church and state in the public sphere.
- The debate touched on broader questions about the evolving nature of Jewish identity, the place of tradition in progressive movements, and the various interpretations of what constitutes 'Jewish values'.
- There were disagreements over whether the parsha commentary represents a 'slippery slope' towards fundamentalism or a productive way to reinvigorate Jewish cultural touchstones.
- The discussion revealed differing perspectives on the generative possibilities and limitations of textual interpretation and exegesis.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Religion has nothing to do with us. We don't find solace in it. Religious teachings have nothing to do with.“ by Judy Rosenbaum
- “It's a distortion of the written word. I'm not saying that the texts are not subject to interpretation and argument and discussion. Of course they are. There's no question about that. But it's like saying, now is the winter of our discontent, made radiant summer by this glorious son of York means that Richard III really loves his brother. That's what you're doing with the parshas.“ by Judy Rosenbaum
- “I'm saddened that young left wing jews could say that religion is what gives jewishness its meaning.“ by Mitch Abidor
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Episode Information
On the Nose
Jewish Currents
6/6/24
On March 29th, Jewish Currents began publishing a short commentary on the parshah—the portion of the Torah that Jews traditionally read each week—in the Shabbat Reading List newsletter. A note introducing this new feature situated it in the context of mainstream Jewish communal support for Israel’s war on Gaza: “While it might seem strange for a historically secular magazine to embark on such a project . . . we are trying this now because many in our community have expressed an unprecedented alienation from most Jewish institutions, alongside an urgent need for spiritual fortification.” While many readers have written in to express their gratitude and enthusiasm for the series, some people with long histories of close involvement with Jewish Currents have been upset by the inclusion of religious content. The range of reactions highlights an enduring dispute over the place of religion at Jewish Currents. The magazine was founded by a stridently secularist American Jewish left, which was forged in opposition to the reactionary constraints of religion and in alignment with the Communist Party. But this has given way to a movement that’s more interested in religious texts and ritual as generative elements of Jewish identity, and as politically meaningful tools.
On this episode of On the Nose, editor-in-chief Arielle Angel, managing editor Nathan Goldman, JC councilmember Judee Rosenbaum, and contributing writer Mitch Abidor argue about the parshah commentaries, the meaning of secularism at Jewish Currents, and the evolving role of religion on the Jewish left.
Thanks to Jesse Brenneman for producing and to Nathan Salsburg for the use of his song “VIII (All That Were Calculated Have Passed).”
Articles Mentioned and Further Reading:
“Complex Inheritances,” Joy Ladin, Jewish Currents
“Yiddish Anarchists’ Break Over Palestine,” introduced and translated by Eyshe Beirich, Jewish Currents
“Camp Kinderland at 100,” On the Nose, Jewish Currents
“Zhitlovsky: Philosopher of Jewish Secularism,” Max Rosenfeld, Cultural and Secular Jewish Organization (previously in Jewish Currents)
“Secularism,” Daniel May, Sources
Letter to the editor on religious coverage at Jewish Currents, with editors’ response
“Secular Jewish Education, A Critique,” Bennett Muraskin, Jewish Currents
“Why I’m Not a Jewish Secularist,” Mitch Abidor, Jewish Currents
“Why I’m Not a Jewish Secularist: A Response to the Responses,” Mitch Abidor, Jewish Currents
“The Discourse on Voluntary Servitude,” Étienne de la Boétie