Transcending Differences & Fostering Respect Among the Jewish People

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Jews today need to reach down deeply to their ancient eternal roots and not just be divided by their contemporary denominational branches or their socio-political differences. Surveying the long chain of Torah teachings from the Biblical through the Talmudic periods and their commentators, as well as from Kabbalistic and Hasidic sources to an analysis of Jewish Prayer, we will discover Spiritual approaches on how to seek Jewish unity amid diversity. We will show how the application of both practical and transcendent tools can aide us in ways to reach beyond our differences to naturally show more respect to one another. This learning will unfortunately not end terrible Jewish divisiveness but it can further the conversation on how to creatively improve the atmosphere around discussing differences.

ABOUT THIS SPEAKER: Rabbi Samuel Intrator was born in Baltimore Maryland to holocaust survivor parents. His early education included an old world cheder as well as day schools studies at the modern orthodox Talmudical Academy. He later studied at the Ner Israel Rabbinical College, Yeshiva Derech Chaim and Yeshiva Kol Yaakov where he received Rabbinic ordination. He also received Rabbinic ordination from his mentor the late Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. Rabbi Intrator has earned a degree in political science from Queen College and worked for the NYC council for 16 years.

Rabbi Samuel Intrator has led hundreds of Shabbatons and lectured throughout the United States, Israel and Europe where he has touched Jews from all backgrounds. His outreach techniques and philosophies are based on those of the legendary Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach with whom he toured extensively, including all over the US and Israel as well as the former Soviet Union and communist Poland. Rabbi Intrator was the Assistant Rabbi at the Carlebach Shul, Congregation Kehillat Jacob in New York City, from 1992 until the untimely passing of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach zt”l. He then served as the Senior Rabbi of the synagogue from 1994 – 2000. Rabbi Intrator’s interactive approach to prayer and Jewish learning has inspired thousands to feel connected to their spiritual roots. Rabbi Intrator founded Kavanahlife an organization deducated to aising spiritual consciousness in prayer and ritual. He is currently the Rabbi at Kavanahlife in Miami Beach.

With a long history of involvement in singles issues Rabbi Intrator has undertaken the Kavanahlifesingles initiative. In addition to hosting events, weekends and retreats in South Florida the popularity of his program has grown and Rabbi Intrator has hosted numerous Kavanahlifesingles events in many cities accross the US. One of the unique features of his program is a singles power discussion session he hosts, where singles present on the subject of “challenges and solutions to being Jewish and single today” followed by an open mic discussion. These discussions are powerful icebreakers that allow singles to get to know each other more deeply. In addition to the problem solving component of these candid discussions and their therapeutic value, a special chemistry develops and singles have met and gotten into relationships and marriage as result of them. The intensity and candor of these discussions require Rabbi Intrators strong moderator input to help guide the conversation in ways that bring people together. After a recent event a young man approached Rabbi Intrator and told him “Rabbi I can be dating a girl 10 times and she wont go as deep with me as she does in the 2 minutes she speaks in these deeply heartfelt conversations.”

Rabbi Intrator is in Phoenix to present at the Heart 2 Heart Conference, A Celebration of Love, Connection, and Discovey. Learn more at https://heart2heartaz.com/