Shades of Gray and Grief on Campus
Joshua and Masua discuss with Tilly Shemer how repercussions of the brutal attack by Hamas and ongoing war in Israel weigh heavily on young North American Jews

The repercussions of the brutal attack by Hamas and ongoing war in Israel weigh heavily on young North American Jews. Online and on campus, some paint recent events in stark black and white, while others demand context and complexity in the face of evil. As Jewish students struggle with grief and pain, they’re exploring their connections to the Jewish people and grappling with how to respond to divergent perspectives, antagonism, or even hate.
Tilly Shemer, Hartman’s Senior Vice President of Wellspring and a seasoned Hillel professional with over twenty years of campus experience, joins hosts Joshua Ladon and Masua Sagiv to delve into the challenging question: “Are these recent events black and white, or where does the gray begin?”
Perfect Jewish Parents is a show from the Shalom Hartman Institute about the joys and “oys” of raising children Jewishly.
Each week our hosts, Masua Sagiv and Joshua Ladon, speak with a different guest to explore questions like: How do you integrate Judaism into a modern life with all its competing demands and seemingly endless choices? How do you talk about God when you’re not sure about your own beliefs? How do you discuss the Holocaust, or Israel with your kids?
Join us for conversations that are honest, irreverent, and heartfelt.
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