Rabbis and Prophets: The Challenge of the Moral Critic - Rabbi Sharon Brous and Donniel Hartman

Join Donniel Hartman and Rabbi Sharon Brous at the Shalom Hartman Institute for a profoundly honest and challenging conversation on the moral responsibility of Jewish leadership today. Together, they explore the complexities of holding onto faith and hope in a world facing overlapping crises—from climate change and the rise of AI to political extremism and the disturbing normalization of violence and antisemitism. Drawing on the teachings of the prophet Micah, Brous and Hartman share what keeps them up at night and where they find reasons to be optimistic. They delve into the crucial difference between winning the war in the Middle East vs. maintaining a moral standing on the global stage, the necessity of truthtelling within the Jewish community, and the controversial debate over the utility of the label "Zionist" in contemporary political discourse. This discussion is an essential watch for anyone grappling with identity, community, and the ongoing struggle to build a just and loving world in times of deep uncertainty. Topics Covered: The "polycrisis" of our time: Climate change, AI, and violent extremism. The tension between internal truthtelling and external public relations. What it means to drop a "sea anchor" when facing waves of fear and anti-Semitism. Why the words we use matter, and the growing debate over the term "Zionism".