Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt Speaks at Annual Soul Center Gala

Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt: “We’re craving meaning, and people are joining us from all over the world.” (Provided Photo)

For the past 10 months, many Jews have sought connection, hope and meaning, says Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt. “[But] in many ways, the Jewish community has become closer [during the pandemic],” she said. “What’s been so amazing to see is how much people are reaching out for ancient wisdom. We’re craving meaning, and people are joining us from all over the world.”

Rabbi Holtzblatt, co-senior rabbi at Adas Israel Congregation in Washington, D.C., was the featured speaker Jan. 13 at the fourth annual “Women, Wine & Wisdom” event presented by The Soul Center at Pikesville’s Beth El Congregation. Jmore was a co-sponsor.

Nearly 400 women attended the virtual gathering, which was billed as “an Intimate Conversation around Soulful Living and Spiritual Journeys” with Rabbi Holtzblatt and her longtime friend, Rabbi Dana Saroken of Beth El.

Rabbi Holtzblatt was recognized by the Forward as one of the 32 most inspiring rabbis in the nation and also named one of Jewish Women’s International’s “Women to Watch.” Last September, she gained national recognition when she officiated at the funeral of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

“I was bursting with pride,” Rabbi Saroken told Rabbi Holtzblatt, “but I kept wondering, how did you figure out what to wear?”

Rabbi Holtzblatt said shortly before the funeral, she said she drove to a J.Crew store and informed the saleswomen there, “I’m a rabbi and I’m going to be officiating at Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s funeral. Please don’t tell anyone!”

For the eulogy, she said she consulted with her husband, attorney Ari Holtzblatt, who clerked for Ginsburg in 2014 and Justice Ginsburg’s assistant who advised her, “You be you.”

When asked by Rabbi Saroken to share one thing that Ginsburg taught her, Rabbi Holtzblatt said, “It’s hard to narrow it down. The law was her discipline and propelled her forward. Her discipline and strength were always a great booster. … One of the most important things to her were institutions — the [Supreme] Court, the Capitol and the integrity of institutions. She deeply cared about relationships, and [President Donald Trump’s] constant assault on norms would have been devastating for her.”

Rabbi Saroken asked Rabbi Holtzblatt to comment on the recent Wall Street Journal opinion piece by Joseph Epstein criticizing future first lady Jill Biden’s use of the title of doctor and Vogue magazine’s choice of cover photo for Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.

“The world is never ready for us,” said Rabbi Holtzblatt. “I’ll often hear, ‘Here’s our female rabbi.’ It’s a commentary on where we are.”

Rabbi Holtzblatt was also asked about some women world leaders, such as New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who have been praised for their successful efforts during the pandemic.

“Many [women] are wired … to have a sixth sense, a ‘Spidey sense’ about what else is going on in a room — the ability to be zoomed in but also to have peripheral hearing,” she said. “As leaders, that’s an incredible superpower.”

Rabbi Holtzblatt shared how she became one of two pulpit rabbis at Adas Israel.

“I was at Adas for six years, and I was part-time,” she said. “I did two Shabbats a month. It was important for me to be home with my kids. … But when [Rabbi Gil Steinlauf] decided to leave, I went home to Ari and said, ‘I’m ready but I don’t want to give up my life …”

Ultimately, she said she and Rabbi Aaron Alexander of Adas Israel created an arrangement in which they would share the responsibilities of the senior rabbi position.

Once the pandemic is over, both Rabbi Holtzblatt and Rabbi Saroken agreed that life will not look the same.

“We’ll have to reimagine our lives,” said Rabbi Holtzblatt. “So many of us felt we were moving too quickly. Life was happening to us. The pandemic has given us an opportunity to pause. We have to rebuild differently.”

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