Journey of a Rabbi: Vision and Strategies for the Revitalization of Jewish Life, Volume 1

This two-volume Journey of a Rabbi consists of essays describing ventures undertaken, events experienced, and ideas articulated that reflect the life work of a rabbi and Jewish educator. What threads its way throughout these writings is a persistent search for ways and means to revitalize Jewish life in our time. Written in lucid and compelling fashion, the story portrays early family influences and mentoring of a searching youth, experiences of a rabbinical student, army chaplain, and pulpit rabbi that brought into focus the tasks ahead. The story proceeds to detail the work as a denominational executive, which broadened concern for the larger community and return to pulpit work devoted to fashioning a “Synagogue-Center.” It then segues into depiction of the comprehensive initiatives in education, the arts and community outreach as Dean at the University of Judaism. Interspersed throughout are “thought” essays about religious phenomena, faith, the personal life, the land of Israel, and “lessons learned” from a lifetime of experiences.

Table of Contents:
Introduction Chapter One: Early Influences Chapter Two: Mentors Chapter Three: From Orthodox to Conservative Chapter Four: The Synagogue Chapter Five: The Rabbinate Chapter Six: The Jewish Community Chapter Seven: The Conservative Movement Chapter Eight: The Imperatives of Learning Chapter Nine: Translating Learning Imperatives into Action Appendix One: Table of Contents For Volume Two of Journey of a Rabbi Appendix Two: Comments About Journey of a Rabbi—Volumes One and Two and About the Author’s Work About the Author

About the Author :
Jack Shechter served as associate professor of Biblical Studies and Dean of Continuing Education at the University of Judaism, now the American Jewish University, for two decades. Prior to his tenure at the University of Judaism, he served as executive director of the New England Region of the United Synagogue of America, followed by a decade as the Rabbi of Congregation B’nai Israel in Pittsburgh. He was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary and received his PhD in Biblical Studies from the University of Pittsburgh, and is the author of The Land of Israel: Its Theological Dimensions (University Press of America, 2010).

Review :
Rabbi Jack Shechter is one of the unsung heroes of the American Conservative rabbinate. His long career as a creative Jewish educator and administrator shaped untold thousands of Jewish lives. Here Rabbi Shechter shares with readers the story of his life and work, as well as his stimulating thoughts concerning the rabbinate, the Conservative movement, Jewish education, the American Jewish community, and the meaning of Jewish life. The literature on twentieth-century American Judaism is greatly enriched by this instructive work. In Journey of a Rabbi, Rabbi Jack Shechter tells the fascinating story of his own Jewish religious journey and provides a remarkably insightful and learned analysis of the challenges and prospects facing the synagogue, the rabbinate, religious denominations, and Jewish education now and in the future. Drawing upon a lifetime of learning and experience as a pulpit rabbi and seminary educator, this work is a tour-de-force that will fascinate and instruct everyone interested in the past and present of the Jewish people in North America. We live in a time of pervasive change; every aspect of culture and continuity is up for grabs. Fortunately, we have a scholar of great practical wisdom, a teacher with years of experience to share insights, counsel and knowledge to illumine our way. Jack Shechter is such a rabbi. His distillation of his thoughts offers a clear analysis and prioritization. Each reader will be a beneficiary of having shared a Journey of a Rabbi. Rabbi Shechter has given us an intimate portrait of the American Jewish community over a long and distinguished career, and we have reason to be grateful for it.