Confessions of a Female Rabbi
Relevant Religion in an On-Demand World
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
One of NYC's most sought-after female rabbis shares the key to keeping religion relevant in an on demand world in this tell-all guide
Believe it or not, all religions evolve and change. As church and synagogue attendance is in record decline, this young female rabbi has found a way to meet families from a variety of backgrounds in the modern world and help them connect with the traditions and practice that they crave. Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski has served world-wide, bringing bespoke and creative religious experiences to those who sought spirituality outside of institutions and denominational confines.
With disruptor brands changing the way we consume products and information, religion is also in need of a 3,000 year-old facelift, or at least a mini makeover. There is room in the pews for new leaders with innovative strategies and approaches to keep religion relevant and meaningful in today’s times. Confessions of a Female Rabbi will trace the changes in our current multi-faith landscape, hone in on what’s happening with the Jewish American community, and demonstrate through case studies how she’s been successful delivering transformations for families through the prism of religious practice and observance. These confessions will express her unique perspective, personal and collective shortcomings, and reveal her insights as a reflective and relatable spiritual facilitator.
Touching universal stories of birth, coming of age, weddings, divorce, conversion, and sacred times affirm the deeper meaning we all can find if we make space for something holy in the circle of life.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Rabbi Jablonski shares her idiosyncratic approach to her vocation in this chatty debut. Contending that the continuing declines in American Jewish synagogue affiliation stem from "casual indifference," an unstable economy, and the rise of social media, Jablonski describes how she fashioned herself as an independent, "on-demand" rabbi who "meet people where they are" in their spiritual lives, a "bespoke" philosophy she feels reflects how the faith should adapt to the modern world. She recounts how she worked intensively with a mother and son—neither of whom spoke Hebrew—to convert to Judaism in time for the son to be bar mitzvahed the following year; planned a Jewish baby-naming ceremony for an interfaith family; and, following the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel, fielded endless calls in which she explained everything from "thousands of years of Middle East history" to how kids could be proud of their Jewish identity in school. Her point that Jews are not necessarily becoming less religious but are seeking religious meaning in new ways is salient and her methods intrigue, even if little is said about whether others have adopted her approach. Still, those concerned about Judaism's future will find plenty of food for thought.
