UTJ’s Morashah Holds Annual Conference

Morashah, the UTJ’s rabbinic fellowship held its annual Kallah (conference) on August 6-8, 2018.  The theme of the conference was halakhic boundaries, including a number of discussions revolving around the innovations of Open and feminist Orthodoxy.  The event was organized by Morashah chairperson Rabbi Robert Pilavin.

On Monday evening, following dinner, UTJ Executive Director Rabbi Gerald Sussman provided an update on UTJ, including recent successes in connecting with the Jewish community though UTJ’s website and social media.  Rabbi Sussman and his wife, Bonita Nathan Sussman, Vice President of Kulanu, discussed their experiences reaching out to emerging and isolated Jewish communities around the world.  This was followed by Rabbi Pilavin beginning a discussion of the theme of the Kallah.  During this discussion, UTJ President Rabbi David Novak, who was part of the vocal opposition to ordination of women in the Conservative movement in the 1980s, explained his support for ordination of women in the Orthodox world of today.  Video of Rabbi Novak’s explanation is available on UTJ Viewpoints.

Tuesday’s program began with a discussion led by Rabbi Noah Gradofsky regarding partnership minyanim.  The discussion included a spirited debate concerning those minyanim that require a quorum of 10 men and 10 women in order to do those parts of the service that halakhically require a minyan.  Some questioned whether it was appropriate to skip such parts of the service when a halakhic minyan is present.  Others suggested that there is no requirement that any given group of 10 men conduct a minyan.  Rabbi Ira Grussgott shared a compromise solution, whereby a Partnership Minyan would move out of its regular davening space if it were to conduct a minyan without a required number of women present (the required number need, and perhaps should not, not be 10 in Rabbi Grussgott’s opinion).

Other discussions during the Tuesday program included:

• Rabbi David Novak discussing the responsa of Rabbis Saul Lieberman and Ben-Zion Uziel  related to women in Jewish leadership positions and their applicability (or lack thereof) to modern times.
• Rabbi Moshe Weisblum discussing challenges that face a traditional rabbi.
• UTJ lay leader Mitch Morrison presenting the newly revamped UTJ website and social media and suggesting how those can be leveraged toward realizing UTJ’s potential for education and outreach
• Rabbi Steven Saks discussing the rewards and risks of kashering a restaurant in communities with few kosher amenities.
• Rabbi Noah Gradofsky discussing some of the achievements of Open Orthodoxy and the need for the Open Orthodox project to move forward in a way that encourages and models halakhic commitment.
• Rabbi David Novak discussing halakhic and pastoral considerations regarding sexual ethics & LGBQT Jews.

The conference closed on Wednesday morning with Morashah’s annual “Sermon Seminar,” where the rabbis shared thoughts they were developing for their high holiday sermons.  Presentations were made by Rabbis Grussgott, Saks, and Pilavin.

Stay tuned to UTJ Viewpoints and the UTJ Facebook page for further video from the kallah.  Links to video material will also be added to this article as they are posted.

Morashah members discuss Partnership Miynanim during a breakfast session.