Shabbat Shalom,

I have a confession — I don’t like Manischewitz wine. On the other hand, my wife Sally loves it. So, in our household, we agree to disagree. (Wine is not the only thing we agree to disagree about.)

This led me to think about something this week: as Jews, we tend to disagree a lot. Sometimes passionately. Sometimes loudly. And sometimes, if we are being honest, some people don’t even agree to disagree. We debate politics, Israel, religious practice, synagogue affiliation, philanthropy, tradition, and change. In many ways, disagreement is woven into the fabric of Jewish life. The pages of the Talmud are filled with differing opinions and spirited debate. Our tradition teaches us that disagreement, when rooted in respect and shared purpose, can actually strengthen us.

But one thing we should all agree on is this: we are Jews living in challenging — and at times dangerous — times.

This week, along with several others from our community, I had the opportunity to hear Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) speak at the Jewish Alliance. Her message was thoughtful, timely, and important. A central focus of JCPA’s work is engaging with others — Jews and non-Jews alike — to build relationships, understanding, and partnerships at a time when division too often dominates our public discourse.

Her remarks reminded me that while we may not always agree within our Jewish community, we cannot allow disagreement to become disconnection. We cannot isolate ourselves from one another, nor from the broader communities around us.

At the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, that essence is at our core. Our role is to bring people together, strengthen Jewish life, support one another, and ensure that every Jew in our community feels a sense of belonging and responsibility for each other — regardless of viewpoint.

And so, perhaps — something I never thought I would say — there really is a lesson hidden inside a bottle of Manischewitz wine. Not everyone has to like the same thing. But we still sit at the same table.

Let me conclude with a quote from Viktor Frankl, a psychiatrist, philosopher and Holocaust survivor, that Sally shared with me this week: Between stimulus and response, there is a space. And in that space is the power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.

The quote gives us something meaningful to reflect upon this Shabbat. 
In moments of disagreement, tension, fear, or uncertainty, we still have the ability to choose how we respond — will we choose anger or understanding, division or community, isolation or engagement.

May this Shabbat bring peace, understanding, and unity to our community and to the Jewish people everywhere.

Shabbat Shalom, 
Harris Chorney 
Interim President & CEO