In this fascinating lecture from January 11, 2017, Christine Hayes dives into classical biblical and Talmudic sources to explore the complex, multi-dimensional nature of Jewish identity. She unpacks three ancient models of belonging—memory, covenant, and holiness (kedusha)—and reveals how our ancestors navigated moments of severe communal crisis. Christine demonstrates how the ancient rabbis forged a middle path between biological exclusivism and radical universalism. They built clear, distinct boundaries for the Jewish community, but ingeniously kept them porous and dynamic. This historical framework is essential for understanding the challenges we face today.
This session is being re-shared in 2026 to complement the publication of Building Communities of Belonging, a resource from the Shalom Hartman Institute’s Kogod Research Center. This resource supports rabbis, educators, and communal leaders in strengthening their communities as they develop policies and practices around Jewish identity, including conversion and informal modes of Jewish affiliation.
You care about Israel, peoplehood, and vibrant, ethical Jewish communities. We do too.
Join our email list for more Hartman ideas
