Guidelines for Honoring and Talking Across Differences
     Rabbi Aura Ahuvia

“May they build me a sanctuary,” said God/Shechinah, “that I may dwell amongst/within them.” (Ex 25:8) From this key passage in Torah, we Jews understand that our very relationships are themselves the building blocks for attaining holiness, safety, and a sense of Divine presence—something for which we especially thirst in today’s turbulent times. A number of years ago, the Reverend Bill Kondrath published God’s Tapestry: Recognizing and Understanding Differences, a culmination of his wisdom after many years’ experience working with groups for positive change. This class will explore the essence of his discoveries, laid out in 12 guidelines. These guidelines have wide application potential, from your congregations and havurot to your boards and committees. Anytime you’re required to work with others on a common goal, these guidelines will serve you well. In this workshop, we will also connect the roots of these guidelines with a Jewish perspective.

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Rabbi Aura Ahuvia serves as spiritual head of Congregation Shir Tikvah, a Reform and Renewal congregation in Troy, Michigan (near Detroit). Ordained as Rabbi and Mashpiah (Spiritual Director) by ALEPH in 2014, she holds two master’s degrees from the University of Michigan, in journalism (1996) and Judaic Studies (2006).