AJC Women's Inter-Denominational Jewish Leadership Dialogue
History
The first AJC Intra-Jewish Dialogue began in New York City in 1996, shortly
after the assassination of Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin. Prior to his
death, it was not unusual in many Jewish circles to hear Rabin called an enemy
of Israel and the Jewish people. Still, Lubavitch community leader Henna White
found it shocking and worrisome to hear the relief that some expressed upon
his murder. Concerned that divisions among Jews were reaching a frightening
level, Henna sought to help Jews find common ground. With Mimi Alperin, then
chair of AJC's Department of Contemporary Jewish life, she co-founded the
Intra-Jewish Dialogue at the New York Chapter of the AJC.
Additional Dialogues have since been founded in Queens and Riverdale, as well
as in Washington, DC, Chicago, and Houston, TX.
Washington Chapter
The Washington (DC) Chapter's Intra-Jewish Dialogue began in 1999. A small
steering committee handpicked woemn from across the denominational spectrum to
start out. Together, this group broadened the invitation list, and then as
meetings began to be held on a regular basis, the group settled at about 18 women.
The Dialogue has met regularly from 2000-2004. Participants include both lay
leaders and members of the clergy, teachers and writers in the Washington
community, from the entire spectrum of Jewish life -- Traditional Orthodox,
Modern Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, Pluralistic and
Renwal. Participants span an age range of 50 years.
Mission Statement
To discuss issues that unite and divide the Jewish community and explore
ways in which we can bring together Jews of different movements.
The ultimate goal is to take advantage of the open liens of communication
among women leaders to reduce tensions in our community. It is our hope that
women in the dialogue will incorporate their experiences from the dialouge
into their sermons, teachings, discussions, writings and resolutions, thereby
influencing the larger community.