The increasingly partisan tone of the upcoming presidential election manifests a powerful cultural trend in which we seek out information that supports the views we already hold. More and more, we live in a society where people can shield themselves from interaction. They hear what it is they want to here, seek news from sources they know will support their views, and socialize in groups that share their political and cultural beliefs. We tend to find our camps and stick in them—liberal on one side, conservative to the other. This has become particularly problematic for those of us involved in Jewish life.
Such a close-minded attitude does no one any favors. True learning comes from engaging in discourse with those who are profoundly different. Your mind may not be swayed, but the interaction should open up your eyes. The ability to broaden our vision moves us forward into a powerful Jewish future where we challenge each other in exploring difficult questions. Challenging what I believe has been one of the great joys on my life, especially when I don’t come to the expected answers.
Read Full Article »