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Marc D. Angel

Report on the Institute's Work

By Marc D. Angel

Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals

Progress Report

June 2008

From Rabbi Marc D. Angel, Director

 

The Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals opened in October 2007. These past eight months have been busy and productive, and I thank all who have supported and encouraged the work of the Institute. Through your contributions, you help foster an intellectually vibrant, compassionate and inclusive Orthodox Judaism.

WEBSITE: www.jewishideas.org

The International Rabbinic Fellowship -- A New Orthodox Rabbinic Association

By Avraham Weiss and Marc D. Angel
(Rabbis Weiss and Angel are co-founders of the International Rabbinic Fellowship, an association of Orthodox rabbis who foster an intellectually vibrant, open, compassionate and inclusive Orthodox Judaism. The Fellowship held a preliminary conference in October 2007, at which it was decided to establish the IRF on a formal basis. The IRF’s inaugural conference was held in West Palm Beach, Florida, April 29-30, 2008.)
As co-founders of the International Rabbinic Fellowship (IRF), we are often asked why the need for another Modern Orthodox rabbinic association. The need arises from perhaps the most foundational premise of Modern Orthodoxy – the role of rabbinic authority.

In general terms, there are two models of rabbinic authority. The first suggests that rabbinic authority is hierarchal; it is vertical, emerging from the top down. This model would have rabbinic authority consolidated into the hands of the few, with key decisions being made by a small group. This group is generally comprised of roshei yeshivah, rabbis who

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