Confessions of a Female Rabbi: Relevant Religion in an On-Demand World

Rabbi Jablonski shares her idiosyncratic approach to her vocation in this chatty debut. Contending that the continuing declines in American Jewish synagogue affiliation stem from “casual indifference,” an unstable economy, and the rise of social media, Jablonski describes how she fashioned herself as an independent, “on-demand” rabbi who “meet[s] people where they are” in their spiritual lives, a “bespoke” philosophy she feels reflects how the faith should adapt to the modern world. She recounts how she worked intensively with a mother and son—neither of whom spoke Hebrew—to convert to Judaism in time for the son to be bar mitzvahed the following year; planned a Jewish baby-naming ceremony for an interfaith family; and, following the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel, fielded endless calls in which she explained everything from “thousands of years of Middle East history” to how kids could be proud of their Jewish identity in school. Her point that Jews are not necessarily becoming less religious but are seeking religious meaning in new ways is salient and her methods intrigue, even if little is said about whether others have adopted her approach. Still, those concerned about Judaism’s future will find plenty of food for thought. (Aug.)