How can Jewish and Latter-Day Saint history help us be better minority allies?

Rabbi Sam Spector

TUESDAY  |  NOVEMBER 10 2020  |  7:30-9:00 pm

Join Rabbi Sam Spector for a conversation about why he feels passionately about Black Lives and other minorities. Explore some of the challenges he is finding among members of his faith that Latter-Day Saints are also experiencing and how our histories can help those marginalized get to a better place. 

GATHERING AT:

Your home or hang out of choice via Zoom.

Thanks to Jana Spangler hosting us via Zoom. Below is some helpful info for being part of a Zoom convo. I will note below the Zoom address so that you can connect. If you are not on my email list then either join at the bottom of this site’s home page or text or call me at 801-695-5036.

THE CONVERSATION:

Most Latter-Day Saints know that their church has a strong affinity with Jews and Jewish history. Latter-Day Saints feel and teach they are one of the same fabric, sourced in the beginning from the same wool from the same sheep. While Latter-Day Saint restoration history is brief in comparison, in that short time the church experienced some persecution, extermination, and exile in some respects, similar to the Jews. Together, what can we draw on from our histories in facing today’s racism while trying to rectifying the racism of the past? In particular, how is Jewish history for Rabbi Spector informing his teaching and leading his synagogue at this challenging time? How can our hearts and hands be better moved to lift up and help the hands and hearts of our marginalized brothers and sisters of color?

We won’t break into smaller virtual groups afterward but will invite you to share your experiences and thoughts on the topic in the larger group. As always, there is no pressure to participate. (Please remember to share air time. You can find guidelines for productive conversations here).

ABOUT THE BROTHERS CHRISTENSEN

RABBI SPECTOR

Rabbi Samuel L. Spector was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. He attended the University of California, San Diego, where he was an active brother of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity. Rabbi Spector graduated with Cum Laude honors with a B.A. in Judaic Studies, a minor in Behavioral Psychology, and was elected Phi Beta Kappa. He received his Masters in Hebrew Letters and Rabbinic Ordination from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles.

While in rabbinical school, Rabbi Spector served for three years as the student rabbi of Congregation Etz Chaim in Merced, California; a member of the Chaplain Candidate Program for the United States Navy; and as a chaplain intern at Los Angeles County/USC General Hospital. While in school, he led several teen trips to Israel and Eastern Europe.

Prior to coming to Congregation Kol Ami, Rabbi Spector served as the Associate Rabbi of Temple Judea in Tarzana, California, where he became recognized for his creation of young professional programming. While there, Rabbi Spector was an Edah Fellow through the Los Angeles Jewish Federation and the President of the West San Fernando Rabbinic Task Force and a delegate to the Jewish Welfare Board. He is currently a member of the Central Conference of American Rabbis.

Rabbi Spector brings his love of working with children and young families to Congregation Kol Ami. He is passionate about adult education, Israel advocacy, social action, and social justice. He is an avid fan of baseball, Jewish history, and traveling, having been to over 50 countries. In his free time, you can find Rabbi Spector hiking, skiing, or playing with Nezek, his Brittany Spaniel, and Walter, his chocolate lab. Rabbi Spector is married to Jill, an Idaho-native, who works in hospitality.

EXPLORE BEFORE WE MEET:

FROM RABBI SPECTOR:

Post Zoom recording of this conversation

Passcode: j.2ne9ty

TIPS FOR BETTER ZOOMING 

Before you begin the Zoom Conversation:

• Prior to when we meet, get your camera and mic ready and troubleshoot any problems. It would be wise to do a dry run with the camera and microphone on your device before we converse. Best to have the camera at eye level so that it is as if we would talk to each other in person. You can use a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop.
• If you are having difficulty with the technology, don’t hold up the meeting by distracting other participants for solutions. Try Googling your problem. I do that with most of my life’s problems.
• Find a quiet place to get comfortable and that you can hang out in for a couple of hours.
• Be aware that the rest of the group can see you and what is behind you. Avoid as best you can having bright lights, distracting images, or people or pets wandering around behind you. No Bigfoot bombing in the background please.
• Please don’t wander around doing other things or eating. Or if you do, make sure your sound and video are muted.
• Mute your microphone when you are not speaking so noises are not heard by everyone else
• Resist the urge to multitask—be with us, people. Knitting is still allowed though.
• Please share air time and follow the guidelines under “Intentions” on this website.

To enter the Zoom conversation:

• Click on the Zoom link above.
• The link Zoom should open, and you should be able to see and hear other participants. Or wait until the host opens the meeting. Check that you muted and that your video is on if you choose to have it on. (Love to see and hear you live, but we’ll take curious lurkers also.)
• If you can’t hear the host, me, or others, find your settings and make sure you have a working microphone and speaker selected. Also, make sure you have your volume up.