What do we want to happen when we pray? Are we trying to speak to God, connect with a community, reflect on ourselves—or perhaps do all three?
Amen: Multiple Lenses for Tefilah Education, produced by the Pardes Center for Jewish Educators, explores how educators can help young people encounter the familiar words of Jewish prayer with greater meaning, curiosity, and connection.
Hosted by Pardes faculty member Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield, each episode brings together Pardes faculty and experienced Jewish educators to delve into a particular prayer or section of the siddur. Using three different lenses—connecting to God, developing a sense of Jewish community, and cultivating personal growth—the conversations demonstrate that there is no single way into tefilah.
Throughout the series, Rabbi Hirschfield is joined by educators including Rabbi Mike Feuer, Rabbi Alex Israel, Rabbi Leon Morris, Aviva Lauer Golbert, Rabbi Reuven Margrett, Sefi Kraut, Penny Joel, Susan Yammer, and Rachel Friedrichs. Together, they explore the Shema, the Amidah, Aleinu, and the larger questions these prayers raise about faith, gratitude, community, identity, and our relationship with God.
Designed especially for educators, but relevant to anyone interested in exploring Jewish prayer more deeply, Amen invites listeners to return to ancient and familiar words with fresh questions—and discover new possibilities for what prayer can mean.
