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PaRDeS: Navigating Pastoral Care as a Congregational Rabbi
Author(s): Steen, Robyn Ashworth
Date: 2025
Topics: Care and Welfare, Rabbis, Main Topic: Other, Synagogues
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.
Our Revolt-ing Women: Bringing Women Together to Highlight Abuse in Jewish Communities Today
Author(s): Ashworth-Steen, Robyn; Fletcher, Yehudis
Editor(s): Stiebert, Johanna
Date: 2025
Topics: Abuse, Reform/Liberal/Progressive Judaism, Haredi / Strictly Orthodox Jews, Activism, Jewish Texts and Text Study, Jewish Women, Main Topic: Other
Abstract: The chapter on abuse in Judaism is both co-authored by and a dialogue between two Jewish women: one from the Reform and the other from the Charedi community. Together, they explore abuse in Jewish Scripture, with particular focus on gender-based and sexual(ised) violence, and on three biblical women characters: Bathsheva, Rizpah, and Dinah. The chapter also explores abusive interpretations of Jewish tradition and, briefly, the instances of sexual abuse in Jewish communities up to the present. It also offers a rallying cry for utilising Jewish Scripture to challenge abuse.