10 | AUGUST 4 • 2022 

PURELY COMMENTARY

guest column

Shalom Hartman Institute 
Again Welcomes Michigan 
Participants to Jerusalem
W

hy Israel? This is the question 
that the Shalom Hartman 
Institute campus in Jerusalem 
asked this summer as it excitedly opened 
its doors to North Americans after a two-
year hiatus forced by the pandemic. 
The campus was filled 
with diverse learners and 
leaders from the end of June 
throughout July, including 
a number visiting from 
Michigan. Participants 
sought to dive into large 
lectures and small group 
discussions with thought 
leaders from across North America 
and Israel. These scholars offered their 
ideas to help participants consider their 
own relationships with Israel amidst the 
growing complexity of the conversation in 
today’s politically charged and polarized 
atmosphere. 
Local leaders were part of a yearlong 
course of study offered by the Hartman 
Institute that focused on using values-
based discourse on Israel. They capped 

off their learning with a 10-day immersive 
experience as part of Hartman’s 
Community Leadership Program (CLP). 
Participants included Bradley and 
Robin Axelrod of Ann Arbor, Marc and 
Ellen Lipton and Susan and Jeffrey Klein 
of Huntington Woods, Dafna and Greg 
Kaufman of Grand Rapids, and Larry 
Winer of Oak Park. 
“On a personal level, I loved the 
conference. It nourished my soul and 
helped me to sink deeper cognitive, 
spiritual and philosophical roots that allow 
me to withstand the increased turmoil that 
we are all experiencing during this period 
of pandemic and political upheaval,
” noted 
Jeffrey Klein. 
Larry Winer added, “One of the most 
important aspects of the program were 
the discussions that provided ideas 
and tools, especially those dealing with 
communication and thought. If we can talk 
openly and honestly, we can accomplish so 
much.
” 
The participants joined more than 150 
leaders from across North America for this 

program. 
After the community leadership 
program ended, Hartman welcomed more 
than 160 rabbis from all denominations 
and affiliations to the Jerusalem campus 
for an opportunity to learn with faculty. 
Among the group, were four rabbis 
from Michigan, including Rabbi Ariana 
Silverman of the Isaac Agree Downtown 
Synagogue, Rabbi Aaron Starr of 
Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield, 
Rabbi Joshua Whinston of Temple Beth 
Emeth in Ann Arbor and Rabbi Alan 
Alpert of Muskegon. 
Rabbi Whinston said, “
All too often, 
conversations about Israel are one-
dimensional and reductionist. The Shalom 
Hartman Institute engages us in wonderful 
Torah learning, thoughtful conversations, 
and complex issues of identity and 
peoplehood. There are few Jewish spaces 
today that are as authentically pluralistic 
and interested in difficult conversations. I 
always feel deeply nourished by the 
Torah I learn with Hartman and excited 
to share that Torah with my community. 
Hartman offers the Jewish community 
an opportunity to engage in a safe and 
meaningful space. It was a blessing to be 
with my colleagues these past 10 days.
” 
Rabbi Starr added, “Proverbs tells us, ‘
As 
iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens 
another’ (Proverbs 27:17). After spending 
these weeks learning from Hartman faculty 

Rebecca 
Starr

Rabbi Ariana Silverman, 
Rabbi Joshua Whinston and 
Rabbi Aaron Starr

Members of the 
Michigan delegation
in Israel

