Conversations Across the Line: Is Political Divisiveness Our Destiny?

In 2021-2022 Democrat Bob Rubinyi and Republican Liz Gronert realized that they shared a common concern: The increasing political polarization was having a negative impact on personal relationships and within their congregation, Bet Shalom. Their response was to lead a series of conversations across the partisan line, to support and model constructive dialogue across differences.

Rabbi Debra Rappaport will facilitate a panel to learn about their motivations, the process, what they discovered, and how it relates to Jewish values. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions and think together about how we might build on this initial project.