DafAmerica and the Path Ahead

Can American Scripture help communities in the age of Trump 2.0?

As we come to the second half of Exodus, the Israelites turn to the task of building the Tabernacle, a dwelling place for God in the midst of community. In her chapter on Ki Tissa, Aviva Gottleib Zornberg calls it a “therapeutic project” to overcome the desire for idolatry. Well, looking around at the world, it seems like idolatry is going strong.

The desire for power and control are constants in the human psyche and in American society. It is not partisan to say that the new Trump administration seeks to centralize more power and control in the office of the President. Idolatry ever beckons.

The team at American Scripture Project (a mix of staff and laity at the Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation) created DafAmerica as a way to help communities come together in conversation over our country’s foundational texts. We decided to focus on Exodus because (a) it aligned with the transition in Presidential power, and (b) Moses essentially does politics in Egypt. Now, as we approach Leviticus on the parasha calendar, we want to hear your thoughts about the program. What worked, what should change, what would increase your use of the program, or why have you opted out?

Please fill out our short feedback form (under 2 minutes, promise), or comment below.

We cannot predict the direction of this presidential administration. Part of the Trump strategy is a flood of action and rhetoric, much of which intentionally violates norms and expectations. As spiritual leaders, we have the firm ground of timeless and ancient texts to counter the deluge with transcendent ideas. We hope you will join us and help us improve the program.