The Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals reaches many thousands of people worldwide with a message of an intellectually vibrant, compassionate and inclusive Orthodox Judaism. We receive many emails and letters expressing appreciation for our work. Below are excerpts from some communications we've received.
***It is important to me to support the Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals. I learn so much from the articles that you have written and the articles by contributors from a broad base of perspectives and knowledge in literature, philosophy, psychology and religion. I appreciate all of the perspectives. I am heartened by many bold stands taken. I find confirmation of many of my core beliefs and though I may not always agree with religious perspectives, I always know that you have an open mind and heart in your approach. That is a breath of fresh air and cause for hope in this polarized environment. (Seattle)
*** Thank you again and again for teaching us, for sharing insights and for caring about who we are, what we can be and what we might yet become. (Montreal)
***It is my pleasure to support your Institute. I find the ideas expressed in the publication to be inclusive and universal and not judgmental. We need this kind of a voice more than ever. (New York)
***Thank you for enriching my life, and by extension, my family's life, by your work. I consider your emails and journals part of my continuing education. I value what you are doing to uplift the Jewish community, and by extension, the world. May you be blessed with extra strength to accomplish all that you envision. (Brookline, MA)
*** Not infrequently lately, there have been moments when I feel a sense of darkness and conflict and low, with base values encroaching upon the world in ways that we thought had ended many years ago. At those moments I turn to you and your teachings - and some others, of course, as well - as a bulwark against that sinister encroachment. Thank you. It means a great deal to feel not alone in such matters. (Toronto)
***I very much enjoy your writings and articles. Thank you for your leadership in expressing Sephardic viewpoints from a modern perspective. Your work has made an impact on my life. (Miami
***You write that I received no goods or services in return for my contribution to the Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals. No goods or services? Not true. The educational benefits from the Institute are immeasurable. (New York City)
***Hi, Rabbi Hayyim Angel. I just wanted to thank you for the incredible series "Joshua through Chronicles." I have long been a fan of your books and teaching on Tanach, and I enjoyed your online course immensely. I learned so much and feel a need to thank you personally for it. I come to Tanach study from a bit of a different angle, that of a Chareidi woman from a Chasidic background who has had a typical Bais Yaakov education... (Brooklyn)
***I am writing this email as a thank you for starting the Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals, and I want you to know that you are making a profound impact upon lives. (Los Angeles)
*** I will never forget how you reached out to me when I contacted you and how you guided me. Words simply cannot express the joy and gratitude that I feel every day. (St. Louis)
***First of all I want to personally thank Rabbi Angel and the Institute for the service you provide. I studied in Yeshivot and lived in communities that run the gamut - from Modern Orthodox, to Mir Yeshiva, and Chassidic communities - and I have found that the most reasonable and authentic Judaism is one that is current, rational and open to Truth from wherever it may come. Thank you for helping me along the way. (Jerusalem)
*** I wanted to thank you for this journal [Conversations]. For you, perhaps, giving it to me was a small kindness in extending chen to a fellow Jew. To me, it was far more. (Seattle)
***I grew up in black hat land in Brooklyn, and the world ended at the Verrazano (or Brooklyn Battery Tunnel). I have lived the last few years in relative solitude, as I have repudiated the community I grew up in, but haven’t found anyone who shared my worldview, or with whom I could even have a meaningful conversation, save a few friends, until reading that journal [Conversations] - I feel like I am not alone. It is intensely reassuring to know that I am not the only one. For that I am immensely grateful! (Brooklyn)
***Kevod R. Marc, Yasher Koach. Your essay is very thoughtful and spot on! Would that all in our community think, feel and act like you! (Teaneck)
*** Thank you again Rabbi, most refreshing to hear a voice of reason in a sea of extremism. (London)
***In this chaotic world, it is refreshing to read a voice of reason that tries to enlighten and make some sense of it all. (Long Island)
***Dear Rabbi Angel, It seems to me that the ideas in your book and Rambam have the potential to be a lifeline to those in danger of being swept away by fundamentalism. As a Catholic, it seems to me that "Maimonides, Spinoza, and Us" points toward a solution: balancing faith and reason. (Washington D.C.)
***The Young Israel of Lawrence Cedarhurst hosted one of America's leading interpreters of the Bible text and commentaries, Rabbi Hayyim Angel. Rabbi Angel's presentations that Shabbat to over 700 attendees were impressive as to the attentiveness of the listeners as well as to the comprehensiveness of the content of his message. (Cedarhurst)
***I recently became a member of the Institute and just received my first copy of "Conversations". I wanted to express my gratitude for all you do to advance a vision of dynamic, intellectual, compassionate and inclusive Orthodoxy, and offer a "kol hakavod" for the quality of thought in Conversations. (Thornhill, Ontario)
***Hello Rabbi Angel, I really appreciate your article "A Modesty Proposal: Rethinking Tseniut." It has helped me to understand this topic much better, and I wanted to let you know that the information you are providing is genuinely helping people. I watched several of your youtube videos. Absolutely phenomenal. These are tremendous resources for my learning, and help me to feel excited about Judaism and growing in my observance.Many thanks. (New York)