Follow-Up Email + Information about Shabbat Lunch + Your Response Needed

[Aaron Potek]

Hi Fellows,

I'm sorry to say, this will be my last official email to this group, but as was mentioned several times last night, this doesn't end here and I hope we can continue many conversations both over this listserv and in person (did someone say shabbaton 2013?).

I'd like to mix things up this time and leave you with your own questions that you posed last night. (forgive me if I misrepresented any of them - and feel free to correct me!).

1) What is Orthodoxy?

2) How important is empathy in leadership?

3) How do we deal with gender categorization and roles in Orthodoxy?

4) How can we influence the larger Orthodox world with this message of openness and inclusivity?

5) Why, despite everything, do we care about belonging to the Orthodox community, however we define it? 

6) How much should psak be influenced by an "agenda" and what does that say about halacha?

7) What's positive about Orthodoxy? (as opposed to focusing just on the challenges)

8) Why be Orthodox? (i.e. what makes us different than, say, Conservative Judaism?)

9) Identify as Orthodox vs. Affiliate with Orthodoxy - can we choose one or the other, and what are the implications of that choice?

10) How much can we stretch traditional theology to match our personal values and vision?

11) Why do we care so much about defining Orthodoxy?

12) What are the implications of biblical criticism on Orthodox Judaism, both in terms of boundaries and practice?

In terms of details for Saturday's lunch:

I live at 506 Amsterdam (btw. 84th and 85th) apt. #2B. Let's meet there at 12:45 pm. I will be at the entrance to let you in (if I'm not then just wait around for a minute - I might be letting someone up to my place). No need to bring anything, but feel free to bring anything you need at a shabbat meal that might not be served without you bringing it.

And finally, as I mentioned, if you could send me an email by December 11 (one week from now) with the following things, that would be great:

1) Your mailing address (so we can send your stipend checks)

2) A couple of paragraphs of feedback on the fellowship in general (what you liked, what you didn't like, thoughts on each of our speakers, suggestions for improvement, etc.)

3) Any feedback you have for me as a facilitator (not mandatory, but much appreciated).

It has been an absolute pleasure getting to know each of you over these past 8 sessions, and I hope I can be a resource for you in any way that you need in the future.

Thank you,

-Aaron