Ep 3: Rabbi Joseph Potasnik on Connecting Through Differences

Ep 3: Rabbi Joseph Potasnik on Connecting Through Differences

June 26, 2024 · 57 min

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik is the son of Holocaust survivors, the Executive Vice President of the New York Board of Rabbis and he was one of the first religious leaders on the scene at Ground Zero on 9/11. A thought leader and author, he is a tireless advocate for civil discourse and as he puts it finding “Unity in the midst of diversity.”

There is no denying that this has been a trying time for Jewish people all over the world. Earlier this year, the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, Jonathan Greenblatt stated "The American Jewish community is facing a threat level that's now unprecedented in modern history." As one of the leaders of the largest Jewish population of any city in the world, Rabbi Potasnik is acutely aware of the challenges.

In this episode, Rabbi Potasnik sits down with Pastor AR Bernard to talk about the deeply rooted pain Jewish Americans are experiencing in the wake of October 7th. The two friends discuss the safety crisis on college campuses nationwide as students search for peace and support from their surrounding communities. Potasnik discusses the conflict between Israel and Hamas and the desire for peace with Palestinians.

Potasnik speaks about what it was like growing up as a child of Holocaust survivors and how he has navigated “survivor’s guilt.”

AR Bernard

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