Journey of a Rabbi: Vision and Strategies for the Revitalization of Jewish Life, Volume 2

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 :
Jack Shechter has created the American version of Continuing Jewish Education and his impact has been enormous. His enterprise has been characterized by vision and high academic standards; it has been pluralistic and diverse; it has been enjoyable and accessible to a searching laity. In years to come, he will be seen educationally as the American Franz Rosenzweig. Here is the summing up of a life lived among the great personalities and issues of 20th century American Jewry with a compelling agenda for the 21st century. Rabbi Jack Shechter offers both a stirring story and a deep vision. As a faculty member and dean at the University of Judaism (now the American Jewish University) during the time that Rabbi Jack Shechter directed its Department of Continuing Education, I personally witnessed up close the learning venture he built. That venture is accurately depicted in these two volumes. . . . Moreover, this Journey is very much worth taking because Rabbi Shechter’s plethora of experiences and his wisdom should serve as a model for us all in how we too can and should apply the insights and values of Judaism to modernity. Dr. Jack Shechter’s book encompasses both theory and practice. As such, it provides the reader with deep substance, much of which is documented as having been actualized in the world of the here and now. Replete with power and pathos, it is a warm and personal account of the author’s life and work as an extraordinarily creative and effective educator.