ברוכות הבאות!

Welcome to the Jewish Life & Faith class blog!  This will be our virtual forum for sharing thoughts and ideas on a wide variety of topics pertaining to Judaism, as well as a place for us to ask deep and difficult questions. I know that we will all gain from hearing each other's perspectives, and I ask that you take the time and effort to produce worthwhile content.

We have so far studied the historical backgrounds and enduring contributions of the Rambam, Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi, the Ba'al Shem Tov, the Ramchal, Rabbi Shimshon Raphael Hirsch, and to a lesser degree, those of Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, and Rabbi Emanuel Feldman and Rabbi Jonathan Sacks (yibadlu l'chaim tovim--they should both live and be well).

Assignment:  Ask one of your other Judaic studies teachers or administrators which one of these great Jewish thinkers has had a significant impact on their life, and why (you can interview them in person, by phone, or by email).  Please record their answer in a comment, and then tell us what intrigues you about their answer.  Does it motivate you to want to learn more about that philosopher?  What else does it make you want to know about the teacher you asked?

I would like each of you to create an account with your name or initials, and respond to this post in the comments section below.  Please contribute a comment of your own; then read your classmates' comments and write an additional response to at least one of them.

This assignment must be completed by the day we return from Labor Day weekend, Tuesday, September 2nd.