Rabbi Brad HirschfieldRabbi Brad Hirschfield

Listed for many years in Newsweek as one of America’s “50 Most Influential Rabbis,” and recognized as one of our nation’s leading “Preachers and Teachers,” by Beliefnet.com, Rabbi Brad Hirschfield serves as the President of Clal–The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, a training institute, think tank, and resource center nurturing religious and intellectual pluralism within the Jewish community, and the wider world, preparing people to meet the biggest challenges we face in our increasingly polarized world. An ordained Orthodox rabbi who studied for his PhD and taught at The Jewish Theological Seminary, he has also taught at the University of Pennsylvania, where he directs an ongoing seminar, and American Jewish University. Rabbi Brad regularly teaches and consults for the US Army and United States Department of Defense, religious organizations — Jewish and Christian — including United Seminary (Methodist), Yeshivat Chovevei Torah (Modern Orthodox) Luther Seminary (Lutheran), and The Jewish Theological Seminary (Conservative) — civic organizations including No Labels, Odyssey Impact, and The Aspen Institute, numerous Jewish Federations, and a variety of communal and family foundations. Hirschfield is the author and editor of numerous books, including You Don’t Have To Be Wrong For Me To Be Right: Finding Faith Without Fanaticism, writes a column for Religion News Service, and appears regularly on TV and radio in outlets ranging from The Washington Post to Fox News Channel. He is also the founder of the Stand and See Fellowship, which brings hundreds of Christian religious leaders to Israel, preparing them to address the increasing polarization around Middle East issues — and really all currently polarizing issues at home and abroad — with six words, “It’s more complicated than we know.”

VIDEO: Does Religion Really Matter When Voting For President?

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According to a Pew Research Center survey about 50% of Americans say its important to have a president who shares their religious perspective. Rabbi Brad Hirschfield says that Americans know what the presidential hopefuls’ believe, in terms of doctrine or church affiliation, but “are willing to support a candidate who aren’t tied to a church or tradition” like theirs as long the candidate’s “sense of policy and purpose resonate with their, the voters, religious values.”

Black Rage, Holocaust Rage

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In a recent group trip of Christian Pastors to Israel that Brad led, a black pastor refused to visit the Holocaust museum. In the end, Brad became more introspective than hurt. Find out why.

Is It Time To Let Go Of “In God We Trust?”

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With 85% of the population believing in some form of higher power, is the reference to faith on the currency a “Fundamental violation of separation of church and state with the government imposing its religious views upon all people” or simply “No big deal”?