2/2/2009 11:23:00 AM WEB EXTRA: A Passion for Teaching
Rabbi Jeff Salkin
Rabbi Zev Farber
When we hear the word rabbi, we think of someone in charge of a congregation. But did you know that rabbi also means teacher? Most congregational rabbis include teaching in their job descriptions, but there is another category of rabbi, one who doesn't lead a congregation but devotes his or her time to the pursuit and sharing of knowledge. Here are two of Atlanta's outstanding teaching rabbis:
Rabbi Zev Farber
In his own words, Rabbi Farber, the founder and director of Aitzim, Atlanta Institute of Torah and Zionism, has as his goal "to engage the larger community in Atlanta to do serious learning." His passion is lecturing, blending serious academics and serious learning in an engaging, accessible format. Rabbi Farber offers regular lectures at Young Israel of Toco Hills, and he speaks at various other venues in town when he's not at Emory preparing for class, because this teacher is also a serious learner, pursuing a doctorate at Emory University's Graduate Division of Religion. He's studying ancient Biblical history, but he's also prepared to talk about how Judaism changes over the generations, about changing views of sexuality, the laws of niddah or family purity, about rabbinic thinking of a woman's body, about kosher topics and about literary analysis of the Bible, Genesis stories, Megillah stories and more, with humor and insight for contemporary society. Farber believes that "One of the things lacking today is a perspective on issues. We need to open up different types of materials as we learn - from Halakha to Midrash to other sources interesting to those wanting to learn."
With a Conservative rabbi for a father, Farber began his education in a Solomon Schechter school in his hometown of Miami. He later moved to a more Orthodox school where he wasn't even considered religious because he was Conservative. "What I remember is being in class, studying Talmud, and reading a story about a seven-headed dragon in a synagogue. In the story, a rabbi was tricked into sleeping in the synagogue. Every time the rabbi prayed, one of the dragon's heads fell off. I was shocked. I asked the rabbi at school if he believed the story. He said to me that it's in the Talmud. I already knew that, but I wanted to know if he believed the dragon was real, and was it killed by davening (praying) at it. My reaction was that I couldn't possibly learn from that man."
In response, his parents moved him to a Modern Orthodox school where he flourished. He eventually made his way to a yeshiva in New York and to Touro College after leaving high school early. He married, lived in Israel and finished college before taking a job in Israel, in a high school for haredi (religious) boys, but one with a full secular studies program that prepared students for college or the army. Farber thought this was what Israel needed because he believes in the military. After four years, he decided to work toward a rabbinical degree. He got involved with Edah, a Modern Orthodox organization founded by Saul Berman, a prominent rabbi and educator, where he met Young Israel's Rabbi Michael Broyde. He came to realize that Modern Orthodoxy was the right denomination for him, and applied to Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, the Open Orthodox yeshiva founded by Rabbi Avi Weiss. It was an atmosphere open to all Jews in a non-judgmental way, open to dialog with everyone, receptive to a wide range of ideas. It espoused the position that Orthodoxy is a commitment to a lifestyle and an affirmation of certain values.
He earned smicha in three years, then had to consider a number of job offers, mostly in the New York area. One offer he found attractive was in Atlanta, to direct Atlanta Torah Mitzion, a religious Zionist Kollel, in which Israelis came to town and learned with people at high schools and synagogues, working with young people and doing youth programming. So he came to Atlanta for the job, and with the added attraction of studying with Rabbi Broyde for dayanut - or religious judgeship. Then came the opportunity to study for his doctorate at Emory and the decision to found his own institute for learning. Today Farber is involved with his studying, with promoting Religious Zionism for young people, in public lectures, and in his family life with his wife Channie and four children ranging in age from 12 years to two weeks.
Rabbi Salkin, formerly at The Temple, now heads Kol Echad, Atlanta's transdenominational learning community. "Making Judaism Matter" is Salkin's philosophy for Jewish learning and outreach. He says, "One of the things that moves me about Atlanta is how enthusiastic people are about adult Jewish education. I'm excited by how engaged our adult learners are." He offers creative course offerings, like Seinfeldology, linking Jewish spiritual resources to current topics like the economy or Gaza. His idea is to be edgy, current and ancient. "We try to touch the heart and the mind. It's all about the people."
Salkin grew up in New York and was ordained a Reform rabbi. He eventually made his way to Atlanta, serving for several years as spiritual leader of The Temple. On leaving that position, he founded Kol Echad. Salkin is also a prolific writer, with seven books as well as articles to his credit. His latest work is Righteous Gentiles in the Hebrew Bible: Ancient Role Models for Sacred Relationships.
In addition, he's involved with producing a new television show for AIB, Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters. Titled In the Beginning, the show is an exploration of stories in the book of Genesis, with guest rabbis and ministers. His first guest will be Rabbi Victoria Armour-Hileman, the new rabbi at Emory.
His favorite subject, Salkin says, is Torah text. "I'm addicted to the book of Genesis, about dysfunctional Jewish families. I love that book. I tell people it makes their families look normal."
While his first love is the congregational rabbinate, his passion is preaching, teaching and reaching. So he created Kol Echad to allow him to reach Jews in a new and different way. Classes are offered around town, and Salkin is always on the lookout for new ways to bond with other groups. He's currently offering a six-part learning series at the Breman Museum, beginning Feb. 2, on Monday evenings. This series will focus on the Madoff scandal and Israel's incursion into Gaza. He's also partnering with the Marcus Jewish Community Center to bring some of Emory's academic intellectuals to the community. The first two speakers in that series are Michael Broyde on Feb. 17 and Dr. Mel Konner on March 18. Professor Konner has just release a new book, The Jewish Body, about which he will be speaking that evening.
Salkin spends two Shabbat mornings a month with Congregation Shema Yisrael. He offers lunch and learns, Monday evening classes, and Sunday evening haftarah classes.
