In this session we discuss the narrative of Yaakov’s encounter with the strange man (angel) at the Yabok river. We trace his journey of self repression to expression, touching on issues relating to personal and national trauma, integration and dis-integration and imperfect redemption as well as the role of memory (and challenge of integrating painful experiences) in identity formation. We explore the ideas through the prism of classic commentaries as well as modern thinkers, psychologists and holocaust philosophers. Through the tumultuous experience of text analysis and a parallel thought development we achieve some sense of cathartic redemption from a difficult narrative.

Dr. Tanya White is an international lecturer, writer and educator with a focus on Tanach and Contemporary Jewish Thought. She is a Senior lecturer at Matan Women’s Institute for Torah Studies and gives weekly classes in other institutions including Pardes and LSJS.  Tanya brings her Torah to audiences in Israel and abroad acting as scholar in residence to diverse communities in the US, Switzerland and the UK. She is a graduate of the Matan Hasharon Scholars program and holds a BSc from LSE in International Relations and an MA in Jewish studies and philosophy from LSJS and SOAS London.  She holds a doctorate in Jewish Philosophy from Bar Ilan University, and is the recipient of Schupf Fellowship for outstanding students. Tanya is driven by a passion to exchange insights on the most pressing topics facing the modern Jewish world and has published numerous articles in books and social media, including a highly publicised responsa with Rabbi Nathan Lopez Cardozo which was subsequently published in his book “Jewish Law as Rebellion”. Tanya is the mother of four daughters and lives with her husband and family on a Moshav in central Israel.

CSP Partners: Beth Israel (San Diego, CA), Congregation Adath Jeshurun (Elkins Park, PA), Congregation B’nai Israel (Tustin, CA), Shomrei Torah Synagogue (San Fernando Valley, CA), Temple Bat Yahm (Newport Beach, CA), Temple Beth El of South Orange County (Aliso Viejo, CA), Temple Beth Shalom (Needham, MA), Temple Beth Sholom (Santa Ana, CA), Temple Beth Sholom (Hull, MA), Temple Emanuel (Newton, MA), Town & Village Synagogue (NYC, NY), Temple Judea of Laguna Woods, CA, University Synagogue (Irvine, CA), Valley Beth Shalom (Encino, CA) & Walnut Street Synagogue (Chelsea, MA)