Chattanooga’s three rabbis, representing each of the denominations in Chattanooga, will participate in a panel discussion about Judaism following dinner on Thursday, Oct. 18, at 6 p.m. at the Jewish Cultural Center, 5461 North Terrace Road. The cost for dinner is $10. Make a reservation by Monday to 493-0270 ext.10; rsvp@jewishchattanooga.com.
The rabbis will respond to questions in a panel moderated by Henry Schulson. Some examples of questions are: What are your movement’s educational, ritual, and other requirements for admitting someone not born Jewish in the Jewish people? How does your movement view egalitarianism, and how does that affect the status of men and women? What role does the Torah play in your movement’s decision making process?
Participants include Rabbi Bill Tepper of Mizpah Congregation. Rabbi Tepper has been in Chattanooga since July 2008. The Mizpah Congregation is part of the reform movement and was founded in Chattanooga in 1866. Rabbi Susan Tendler of B’nai Congregation is the first and only female rabbi in Chattanooga. She has been with B’nai Zion since August. B’nai Zion was founded as an orthodox community in Chattanooga in 1880 and is now part of the conservative movement. Rabbi Shaul Perlstein of Chabad of Chattanooga has led the movement here since coming to Chattanooga in September 2009. The Chabad movement began in the early 1940’s and is considered Chasidic, part of orthodox Judaism.
The Jewish Federation and is programs are open to everyone regardless of religious affiliation. The Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga builds and fosters a strong unified Jewish community and strives to ensure its well-being and continuity locally, in Israel, and throughout the world.