Rabbi Simcha Weinstein of Chabad of the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn doesn’t believe in sermons.
Weinstein plans to “cater to his constituency,” at this acclaimed arts school, where students designed Chabad’s new center as well as its High Holiday promotional material. This year’s student-driven service, the first on Pratt’s campus, will “synthesize arts with theology.”
“I believe in dialogue, not monologue,” says Weinstein.
“It is important that the services be interactive, intellectually-stimulating, heart-centered.” Weinstein refuses to subject his students to what he calls “a sermon-induced coma.”
The 100 attending students, many of whom will stop by in between classes, are free to interrupt the service for discussions and debates. Students may question the notion of life and death and the very idea of a day of judgment.
Some, who come primarily “because of guilt from their overbearing Jewish mothers,” can take advantage of the opportunity to talk with the rabbi and with peers about feelings of apathy and disconnect.
Rosh Hashana, says Weinstein, “is a heavy time. Everyone is grappling with existential issues. This generation is filled with seekers and searchers on a quest for an authentic Jewish experience.
“I want to inspire their intellectual curiosity” and invite them on “a path to find their own answers. After all, we are all seekers.”
omg he spoke in brhs last yr hes so funny!!!!! best speaker ever
these stories are always blown outta porportion…. who cares whether or not a rabbi makes a speech?! im a shlucha and my father only gives a 10 minute dvar torah… SO WHAT?! so maybe the students dont have a great attention span 😛
Keep it up. I don’t even know why this is a discussion. Let the man do his shlichus
just like sermons aren’t for everyone, the non-sermon isn’t for everyone, either. But, the Rav knows his local constituents and what appeals to them – smart man… gives them what they want and at the same time what they need. Sounds like a win-win.
Simcha you always think out of the box and the students love and appreciate it so much!
Thank you on behalf of all your CH friends for all your devotion and hard work!
We love you!
my campus chabad rabbi likes to explain the service as it goes along rather than give one long sermon.
btw – rabbi simcha spoke at the recent retreat and his ‘Sermon’ was amazing
do what you need to do, if you need to disdain sermons to get people through the door have them make a teshuvah, go ahead. i was turned on to chasidus through a sermon and i am not offended by this engaging and well written article.
peace!
i think the rabbi should think before he teaches disdain for thousands who have been inspired to do teshuva after hearing inspiring sermons.