Disagreement for the Sake of Heaven with Rabbi Suzie Jacobson and Rabbi Jaimee Shalhevet

Monday, November 17 | 7:00-8:30 p.m. ET | Online

The rabbis taught that the Jewish community becomes holy through machloket l’shem shamayim—disagreement for the sake of heaven. On Yom Kippur, Rabbi Suzie Jacobson of Temple Israel, Boston, and Rabbi Jaimee Shalhevet of North Shore Synagogue, Syosset, NY, shared how their ongoing conversations about Israel and the Gaza war have shaped the way they think and engage with others on this difficult topic.

Join us as we continue that dialogue—complex, sometimes contradictory, and always respectful—and see this sacred practice in action. Through real-time conversation, we will model what it means to engage across differences with openness, courage, and care—and invite our congregations to join the conversation.

Register to join us online. Contact cajl@tisrael.org with questions.

About Rabbi Suzie Jacobson

Rabbi Suzie Jacobson (she/they) serves as Rabbi and Director of Congregational Learning at Temple Israel, a community that has long been her home. She received a Masters in Jewish Education and was ordained as Rabbi by Hebrew College in 2015 after a six-year immersion in the texts and tenacious creativity of the Jewish people. Prior to rabbinical school, Suzie was on the path to becoming a scholar of Jewish Philosophy, receiving a MA from the University of Chicago Divinity School, a BA in Jewish thought from the Jewish Theological Seminary, and a BA in history from Columbia University. Though formal study provided many necessary skills towards the rabbinate, her dearest teacher was her six years as educator and intern at Temple Israel where she learned what it means to be a part of a creative and loving congregation. She and her spouse JoJo are thrilled to raise their children Yitzy and Ru at Temple Israel and to make a home in the community. 

Listen to Rabbi Jacobson’s Yom Kippur Sermon

About Rabbi Jaimee Shalhevet

Rabbi Jaimee Shalhevet is the Senior Rabbi at North Shore Synagogue in Syosset, New York, a Reform congregation. A native Long Islander who grew up in Sayville, she graduated from Brandeis University in 2000. She was ordained by the Hebrew Union College in May 2008. Rabbi Shalhevet joined North Shore Synagogue in July 2008 as Assistant Rabbi, became Associate Rabbi in 2011, and was appointed Senior Rabbi in July 2015. Her interests include Jewish mysticism, interfaith relations, music and storytelling. Before her rabbinic career she worked at Synagogue 3000 (formerly Synagogue 2000) and served at Temple Sinai of Roslyn. Rabbi Shalhevet is married to Rabbi Helayne Shalhevet. They live in Plainview, New York, with their four children – Samuel, Gabrielle, Benjamin and Jacob. She is actively involved in the broader community, including participating in interfaith initiatives and local education efforts (for example, serving as co-chair of the Syosset-Woodbury Interfaith Clergy Coalition).

Listen to Rabbi Shalhevet’s Yom Kippur Sermon