PaRDeS: Navigating Pastoral Care as a Congregational Rabbi
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Abstract
Navigating pastoral care as a congregational rabbi is complex. Requiring deep self-reflection, intention, an understanding of the power dynamics inherent in the role and the multi-dimensional character of each person encountered, the pastoral role is a significant responsibility. Using the rabbinic model of PaRDeS, I return to an essay written as a student rabbi, before I stepped into congregational practice, imagining the work ahead and the aims and objectives of pastoral care. After years in the role, I reflect upon my initial article to see whether my imaginings still apply and how the challenges of congregational work affect pastoral encounters. Through this reflective dialogue, pastoral care can be seen as not only interconnected moments of compassion between two individuals and a connection to something greater than ourselves, but vital justice work in an unjust world.
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58(1)
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Link to article (paywalled), PaRDeS: Navigating Pastoral Care as a Congregational Rabbi
Bibliographic Information
PaRDeS: Navigating Pastoral Care as a Congregational Rabbi. 2025: https://archive.jpr.org.uk/10.3167/ej.2025.580112
