Rena Yehuda Newman: Judaism Unbound Bonus Episode - Pluralism of Necessity
In this special episode, 2019 Judaism Unbound and New Voices Fellow Rena Yehuda Newman (they/them) explores a new concept called “Pluralism of Necessity,” when communities are formed not because their members have much in common, but because they need each other. [1]
Questions for Consideration:
In this episode, Rena Yehuda discusses how people choose to or not to be a part of a Jewish community that doesn’t feel like an exact fit. How imperfect can a Jewish community be and still be a group you’d want to participate in?
When you’re looking for a Jewish community, what are your priorities ritually, socially, and politically? How do these impact whether or not you’d be willing to join a community described as a Pluralism of Necessity?
For some, being part of a Jewish community feels like a necessity and would only opt-out under extreme circumstances, while others would opt-in to join a community only if the options were particularly appealing. Do you feel Jewish community is opt-in or opt-out?
Take the B’nei Barak Test: Do you see yourself as connected or obligated even to the most extreme parts of the Jewish world?
[1] Rena Yehuda Newman (They/Them) is a non-binary comix artist, writer, and engaged young queer Jew living and working in Madison, Wisconsin. Recently graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison, Rena Yehuda has spent the last few years studying History and Educational Policy and is deeply invested in conversations of memory, community, and identity. In addition to this episode of Judaism Unbound, they also produced Judaism Unbound’s "Shavuot Unbound Zine." You can find other zines they've published and support their work through their Gumroad store here, or follow their art on Instagram: @rena.yehuda.