A conversation with Ben Cardin, ACHARAI Alumni Spring Series
This month the Acharai Alumni fellows gathered together at a private home to have a intimate conversation with Senator Ben Cardin who will be retiring from his Senate seat after 17 years of service.
Rabbi Jacob Neusner wrote in the Washington Post in 1987, “If ever there was a Promised Land, we American Jews are living in it. Here Jews have flourished, not alone in politics and the economy, but in matters of art, culture and learning. Jews feel safe and secure here in ways that they do not and cannot in the State of Israel. And they have found an authentically Jewish voice — their own voice — for their vision of themselves.…”
This month the Acharai Alumni fellows gathered together at a private home to have a intimate conversation with Senator Ben Cardin who will be retiring from his Senate seat after 17 years of service. This speaker series was designed to explore whether, given the seismic shifts of the last almost 7 months, Rabbi Neusner’s statement still remains true and how recent events are shifting our perspectives and our lives.
Almost 30 Acharai alumni came together on the evening of April 4th (at the home of Cohort I alumnus, Nancy Kohn Rabin) to hear from Senator Benjamin Cardin, a national political leader and a third generation Marylander with deep ties and roots in the Baltimore Jewish community. Cardin discussed topics from how he got involved in politics to the rise in antisemitism and the need to help young people find a positive way to engage with politics.
Participants found the program insightful and inspirational, here are some of their thoughts.
“Cardin was open, thoughtful and interesting. I loved hearing about his journey into politics and how he is continuing to support Israel and the Jews”
“Cardin’s personal stories about his family and how they shaped his political career were inspiring and touching.”
The Acharai Alumni Spring series continues on May 23rd with a conversation with new CEO and President of the Associated, Andrew Cushnir.
