How do we approach Jewish text when addressing modern global social issues? Do we believe Torah, Jewish text and tradition, have something unique and valuable to contribute to conversations about global justice and development? Where do our texts “align” with modern trends in ethics in the international development sector? Where do our texts diverge from modern trends in ethics? Or, when they don’t “speak our language” or share the vocabulary that speaks most precisely to the way we see the challenges we’re facing?
Global Torah is a five-part podcast series exploring the intersections of Jewish history, values and tradition with the practice and pursuit of global citizenship, social justice and international development.
Hosted by Shani Rosenbaum.
Guest bios:
Danielle Abraham
Danielle Abraham is exploring what it means to be a Jewish social entrepreneur in the field of international development and impact investing. With one hat, Danielle is the Co-Chair of the ID2 Conference and Network, promoting entrepreneurship for development and connecting Israeli expertise and the Jewish world to developing country needs. Wearing her second hat, she is a Director at Impact Investing Israel – working to support the development of the impact investment sector in Israel. Prior to this, Danielle was a senior policy advisor in MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Danielle made aliyah from London, where she worked for the Strategy and International Directorate of the UK Home Office. Danielle holds an B.A. and Master’s from the University of Oxford and lives in Tel Aviv with her husband. She loves to play music, cook/eat, travel and meet new people.
Meesh Hammer-Kassoy
Meesh teaches Talmud and the Social Justice Track at Pardes. Originally from Washington, D.C., Meesh has a B.A. in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies from Brandeis University, and a M.A. and Ph.D. from New York University. Her dissertation explored the courageous manner in which the rabbis of the Talmud created a new criminal punishment system. In 2015, Meesh completed her studies at Beit Midrash Har’el and received ordination from Rabbi Herzl Hefter and Rabbi Daniel Sperber. Meesh is also a graduate of NATIV, Pardes, Midreshet Lindenbaum, MaTaN, Drisha, and ATID. She has received many fellowships including Lady Davis, National Foundation for Jewish Culture, Memorial Foundation and ATID. She has also taught at NYU, Drisha and Midreshet Lindenbaum.
Yedidya Julian Sinclair
Yedidya Julian Sinclair is Vice President of Energiya Global, an international solar energy development company. Before moving to Israel he worked as an economist in the UK government. In his spare time he is a writer,translator, urban tour guide and teaches Jewish texts and sources. He holds semicha, degrees from Oxford and Harvard and lives in Jerusalem with his wife and five children.
Further reading:
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Global Torah explores the intersections of Jewish life, values and text with the practice of global service, social justice and international development. Each episode highlights voices of both scholars of Jewish tradition and Jewish professionals working to address global challenges, often in conversation with each other. The result is a dynamic and engaging look into key issues facing the Jewish people as part of a global community.
