Jewish Adult Ed Reinvented – Rabbi Molly Karp

Living Our Beliefs: Exploring Faith & Religion in Daily Life

Episode 52.
Rabbi Molly Karp was raised with both the message she could do anything, and the Orthodox Jewish day school's many restrictions for girls. Added to this was time in nature, on Israeli kibbutzim, and in Judaic Studies courses. Her passion and skills with Jewish education were apparent early on and she has dedicated most of her professional life to that work. She has also acquired rabbinic ordination and been a congregational rabbi. Doing things in her own way and not according to a denominational “party platform” is important to her. Teaching in her own program – SAJE: Senior Adult Jewish Education – allows for that. In her experience, adults know what they want to learn and her job is to teach them in the best way she can.
Highlights:
00:11:45 Historical realization, Jewish diversity, childcare on kibbutz
00:19:06 Reform religious school --> raising kids --> therapy --> Jewish mindfulness program --> embracing role as a rabbi.
00:21:20 Formed SAJE after the Jewish Federation ended WAJE. Jewish adult education, Montessori-inspired.
00:30:48 Diversity in Jewish beliefs and practices continues.
00:35:23 Center of Torah: Love others as yourself.
00:37:57 "Embrace Jewish roots, be the change."
00:40:29 Common reactions to my identity as a rabbi are the person's self-criticism and their grievances against Judaism.

Social Media links for Rabbi Molly Karp:
Website – www.rabbimollykarp.com
Email – [e-mail]
Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisolomon/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066435622271
Transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1851013/episodes/13846558

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The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise: Is your way similar or different? Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore? Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet.
Comments? Questions? Email Méli at – [e-mail]
The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/

Chapter

1. Jewish Adult Ed Reinvented – Rabbi Molly Karp (00:00:00)

2. Introduction (00:00:05)

3. Molly's Jewish path (00:03:54)

4. Jewish education and rabbinical school (00:10:25)

5. Her parents and work after rabbinical school (00:18:26)

6. Senior Adult Jewish Education (SAJE) (00:21:03)

7. Being a congregational rabbi (00:27:09)

8. Following Jewish tradition, or not (00:29:55)

9. Tikkun Olam (00:39:19)