Rabbi 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 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."

Billy Joel Wore Yellow Stars At His Concert Yesterday. Why It Matters.

August 22, 2017August 22, 2017 by Rabbi Brad Hirschfield

Billy Joel broke his traditionally neutral stance on politics and religion by wearing a yellow star at his concert.

I Was Also Tempted To Blame All Sides For Charlottesville. Here’s Why.

August 14, 2017 by Rabbi Brad Hirschfield

The tendency towards violence on both sides is wrong… Even though one side has a clear moral justification.

We Need To Take Responsibility For The Virginia Shooting

June 16, 2017 by Rabbi Brad Hirschfield

We all need to accept responsibility for the culture that allowed this shooting to happen in order to make real changes.

Are Friends Better For Us Than Family?

June 12, 2017June 12, 2017 by Rabbi Brad Hirschfield

According to a new study, the power of friendships gets stronger with age and may even be more important than family relationships in extending not only our quality of life, but in how long we live.

So, Donald Trump, You’d Like Some Wisdom? Here It Is.

May 25, 2017 by Rabbi Brad Hirschfield

Donald Trump asked God for wisdom when he went to the Western Wall on his trip to Israel. Rabbi Brad Hirschfield decides to share what many Jewish scholars consider to be the essence of wisdom.

What Are We Really Fighting About When We Fight About Israel?

May 22, 2017 by Rabbi Brad Hirschfield

Arguments about Israel are often more about partisan battles than genuine concern for what happens in Israel.

The Deeper Wisdom Of Fidget Toys

May 23, 2017May 16, 2017 by Rabbi Brad Hirschfield

Have you heard of the latest hot trend in schools? They’re called fidget toys, and they are marketed as a solution to an inability to focus. Rabbi Brad Hirschfield examines whether there is any validity to this claim, as well as the deeper truths this exploration can reveal about our own lives.