We had a chance to say hello and I was very surprised he knew who I was. There have been about 150 graduates of the HUC-JIR program in Jerusalem and so I surmise he has checked out who his alumni are! I was impressed with his humorous but also goal-directed speech.
Nachman Shai (Hebrew: נחמן שי; born 28 November 1946) is an Israeli journalist and politician who served as Israel's Minister of Diaspora Affairs. He previously served as a member of the Knesset and its Deputy Speaker, as well as the IDF spokesman. In April 2024, he was appointed Dean of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Taube Family Campus in Jerusalem.
Nachman Shai named dean of Hebrew Union College
HUC-JIR's Taube Family Campus in Jerusalem is a hub for Reform Judaism in Israel. Its programs educate and prepare Israeli rabbis to lead religious pluralism in Israel and serve global Jewry.
By EVE YOUNG
APRIL 3, 2024 15:06
Updated: APRIL 3, 2024 15:38
Former Diaspora Affairs Minister Nachman Shai.
(photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH 90)
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion has selected Dr. Nachman Shai as dean of the institution’s Jerusalem campus, the institution announced Wednesday. HUC-JIR is a seminary and serves as a center of Reform Judaism.
Shai’s appointment is a sign of the importance that the Reform movement is placing on the connection between Israel and the Jewish Diaspora and on bridging the gaps between the different streams of Judaism in the wake of October 7, said the organization.
“Now, more than ever, is the time to bridge gaps between Israel and the world, and between Israel and Diaspora Jews,” Shai said. He hoped to do this in his new role as dean, where he will help train a new generation of Jewish leaders in Israel and around the world.
One of the things we can learn from October 7 is how “extremism and ignoring our commitment to humanistic values” have led to the isolation of Israel, said Shai.
“The only way we are managing our conflicts with Arabs is [by] war and military conflict,” and the world no longer sees Israel’s actions as legitimate, he added.
IDF soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip, March 28, 2024. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
“The Reform movement is one of the most important players in the Jewish world,” said Shai, adding that close to 40% of Jews in America are Reform, and the movement is an important part of the world of Jewish renewal.
“There are millions of Jews around the world and in Israel who think that Judaism can be different – liberal, pluralistic, progressive, inclusive, diverse, and equal,” said Shai, explaining how his new role will enable him to advocate for the relationship between Israel and the Jewish world.
Reform movement encompasses a variety of people
“The Reform movement is incredibly diverse,” added Shai, saying that because some Reform Jews identify with the political left, the Reform movement can present Israel “in all of its complexity,” to Reform movement members across the world and along the whole political spectrum.
“It’s not only about bringing Israel to the Diaspora, but bringing the Diaspora to Israel,” he explained, saying that Jews in the Diaspora need to be given the “tools to understand Israel.”
Political support for Israel is strongest among older people and much weaker amongst younger people, Shai noted, explaining why bridging gaps is so important.
“If today they already can’t understand what Israel is doing, and adopt [those chants] “from the river to the sea” and that policy, what will happen with the Jewish people in 50 years?” he asked.
ANOTHER IMPACT Shai hopes to have in his new role is reminding Jewish leaders of the impact Israel’s actions have on the Diaspora and Israel’s responsibility towards Diaspora Jewry to this end. The recent war, and the wave of global antisemitism that accompanied it, are proof of just how significant the impact of Israeli policy is on Jews all over the world, Shai explained.
Shai has a long history of work with global Jewish communities and has served a number of roles in elected office as well as in the IDF. He was the IDF Spokesperson during the Gulf War where he earned the title, “national calm-bringer,” serving as a calming voice for Israelis. He has also served as the commander of Army Radio, and as the Diaspora minister.
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