What if Being a Stranger Is Actually Your Superpower? | Better in Person

The podcast opens with Stephen Dubner introducing Angela Buchdall, highlighting her distinction as the first Asian-American ordained as a rabbi and her prominent role as the leader of Central Synagogue in New York City. The discussion touches on her international background, her memoir 'Heart of a Stranger', and her recognition as a significant and unusual figure in religious leadership. Angela shares her journey of boundary-crossing, being biracial, and her early passion for becoming a rabbi.

Angela discusses the emotional and spiritual aspects of her work, emphasizing the awe she experiences in her duties, especially around death and life transitions. She describes her role as being in the 'awe business,' witnessing acts of moral beauty and human kindness, especially in contexts like Israel and her community. Her insights highlight how her visibility and platform as a rabbi influence her work and the importance of her role in inspiring moral acts and resilience.

The conversation examines the burdens of fame, including targeted threats and safety concerns, illustrated by the mention of threats towards her and incidents like the Colleyville, Texas synagogue hostage situation. Angela explains her approach to managing her visibility, balancing her calling with the desire for privacy, and the importance of continuing her advocacy despite risks. She also reflects on her choices regarding public statements and her reasons for maintaining her voice.

Angela shares her nuanced perspective on Israel, emphasizing the distinction between the Israeli government and the Israeli people. She advocates for a two-state solution, urging steps of de-escalation and de-radicalization, and stresses the importance of distinguishing between Hamas and the Palestinian people. Her insights call for hope and continued effort in conflict resolution, based on her understanding of history, trauma, and moral responsibility.

Angela discusses the multifaceted nature of Jewish identity, emphasizing that being Jewish involves both religious beliefs and a sense of peoplehood and history. She explains that Jewish practice, such as observing the Sabbath, is about sanctifying time and creating space for reflection, and that many Jews today identify culturally or ethnically without necessarily believing in a supernatural God. Her perspective encourages a broader understanding of what it means to be Jewish.

The episode explores Judaism’s tradition of being a minority and a boundary crosser, rooted in the biblical story of the Israelites' slavery in Egypt. Angela links this history to the modern experience of being a stranger in various societies, including the immigrant experience in America, and emphasizes the moral and emotional strength derived from this identity. She advocates for empathy and human connection as ways to transform the experience of being a stranger into a superpower and a tool for societal progress.

The discussion highlights the importance of avoiding binary thinking in politics and personal relationships. Angela advocates for engaging with differing opinions through dialogue and small acts of kindness, like sharing meals or participating in community activities. She emphasizes that understanding and connection can begin with simple, human gestures, and urges listeners to move beyond demonization towards empathy and mutual respect.

Angela reflects on her own belief system, describing her view of God as non-supernatural and more about a spiritual presence that embodies being for others. She discusses how many Jews can be culturally or ethically Jewish without strict religious belief, and stresses that Judaism often emphasizes actions over beliefs. Her personal faith is characterized by an inclusive, expansive understanding of divine presence and moral responsibility.

The episode underscores the significance of practices like observing the Sabbath, which sanctifies time and offers a reprieve from constant production and labor. Angela shares her family’s experience of strengthening their Jewish identity and community through these traditions, emphasizing how communal and spiritual practices help foster resilience, connection, and a sense of purpose.