JULY 27• 2023 | 7

Sotah 7:12). 
We take a stand on the 
important issues of our day, 
and we strive to do what is 
right; at the same time, we 
actively seek to understand 
multiple perspectives because 
we humbly accept that only 
God knows the best paths 
forward.
At the Hartman Institute, 
we put these texts into 
practice. After studying 
with Hartman’s outstanding 
faculty, we as rabbis from 
Orthodox, Conservative, 
Reform, Reconstructionist 
and Israeli backgrounds 
wrestled with some of the 
greatest challenges facing 
Jews and the world today. 
Most importantly, we 
respectfully listened to 
each other and gave each 
other the benefit of the 

doubt. We sought truth and 
we practiced compassion, 
understanding that the tone 
and tenor of our arguments 
are just as important as their 
content. 
This form of pluralism is 
at the heart of the mission 
of the Shalom Hartman 
Institute, and it is this kind 
of learning and discussion 
that I try to bring to my 

role as a spiritual leader 
of Congregation Shaarey 
Zedek of Southfield. We 
are stronger as Jews when 
we engage with each 
other respectfully and 
compassionately. We would 
be stronger as Americans if 
we could do the same as well. 
Republicans and 
Democrats are not enemies; 
we are partners in building 

a nation committed to life, 
liberty and the pursuit 
of happiness for all U.S. 
citizens. 
Now more than ever, we 
Jews must follow the example 
of ancient and modern rabbis 
to deepen communication 
among those with opposing 
views by practicing respectful 
dialogue. Moreover, we must 
model this counter-cultural 
behavior for our fellow 
Americans to see. Let us each 
make for ourselves a heart 
of many rooms to consider 
the desires and fears of our 
fellow citizens. 

Rabbi Aaron Starr is a spiritual leader 

at Congregation Shaarey Zedek in 

Southfield and is a Senior Rabbinic 

Fellow of the Shalom Hartman Institute. 

This is the first in a three-part monthly 

series.

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WE ARE STRONGER AS JEWS 
WHEN WE ENGAGE WITH EACH 
OTHER RESPECTFULLY AND 
COMPASSIONATELY. WE WOULD BE 
STRONGER AS AMERICANS IF WE 
COULD DO THE SAME AS WELL.