Mahloket Matters
Cultivating a Constructive Disagreement Mindset
Karen Morris
Senior Educator Learning Fellow
Education Director, Dor Hadash Religious School
Mahloket Matters Workshops
Time: 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Dates:
January 26
February 2
February 9
February 16
Refreshments will be provided.
All sessions are offered in-person and online (via Zoom).
Session One - January 26
In our first session, participants will be introduced to the Mahloket Matters framework. We will study Jewish texts that relate to and frame the philosophy. The texts will help us understand the difference between a mahloket le-shem shamayim (A disagreement for the sake of heaven), and a mahloket lo le-shem shamayim (a disagreement not for the sake of heaven). We will explore the four pillars of constructive disagreement and ask how they might be helpful to apply in our community. Texts will be presented in both Hebrew and English, although no prior knowledge of Hebrew is required to participate in the course.
Session One Materials:
Session Two - February 2
In this session, we will learn about Social Emotional Learning (SEL), understanding different approaches to leadership, and how our personal values apply when looking at moral foundation theory. We will look at experiences in our past, and how we might explore things in a new or different frame of mind. There will be an opportunity to share personal experiences and challenges and how they apply to these theories.
Session Two Materials:
Session Three - February 9
In this session, we will apply skills and knowledge from our first two sessions to mahloket. Participants will be presented with different types of conflicts.
We will also explore mahloket from "For the Sake of Argument" by Abi Dauber Sterne & Robbie Gringras.
Session Three Materials:
Session Four - February 16
featuring Dr. Steven Klein, see bio below
In our final session, we explore some other approaches to how we perceive and manage conflict. Professor Klein will be our guest speaker on zoom, from Modi’in, Israel. We will have the opportunity to reflect on how this may connect to our study of the Mahloket framework and Jewish texts. Most of us grow up believing that conflict is a negative experience best avoided. However, research has shown that conflict is not only unavoidable but vital to growth. We first experience mismatches as infants, and how we learn to handle those mismatches from our parents, teachers, peers and other models informs how we try to resolve discord. This lecture will explore some of that research based on The Power of Discord by Dr. Ed Tronick and Dr. Claudia M. Gold, how it applies to everyday life and how we can rethink our own r elationships to build stronger ones.
Session Four Materials:
What is Mahloket?
Disagreements are often seen as an unfortunate aspect of life. However, in the tradition of the Mishnah and Talmud, mahkloket (debate) is a vital tool for fostering discussion, critical thinking, personal growth, and the strengthening of relationships. The Mahloket Matters initiative aims to highlight the Jewish value of constructive debate. Jewish tradition venerates the notion of productive disagreement and recognizes the potential for personal growth and deeper interpersonal connections through engagement with multiple perspectives. This program encourages participants to develop a “constructive conflict mindset” through Jewish text study, social psychology, and social-emotional learning. Ultimately, this mindset is not just for specific issues but serves as a lens to view and engage with the world in a more thoughtful and respectful manner.
Why Mahloket Matters
Excerpt for Karen’s article in the Dor Hadash newsletter
This past summer, I had the incredible opportunity to study in Jerusalem at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, thanks to the support of Congregation Dor Hadash. Currently, I am a member of Cohort 4 of the Senior Educator Learning Fellowship (SELF). Despite the challenges of traveling during a time of conflict, the gratitude we received from the people there made it deeply meaningful.
Being part of the SELF cohort was both a personal and professional milestone for me. The experience in Israel was profound, and I look forward to continuing the fellowship with monthly workshops on Zoom, culminating in an in-person gathering in May to conclude our program.
As part of my role in the SELF fellowship, I have begun to implement the Mahloket Matters curriculum within our community. I have presented to our teachers, at the Pittsburgh Yom Limud (a learning day for part-time religious school teachers), and to my colleagues at PAJE (Pittsburgh Area Jewish Educators).
The Mahloket Matters mindset employs Jewish texts and social psychology to foster meaningful discussion, critical thinking, personal growth, and deeper relationships.
Dr. Steven Klein is a Jewish educator and journalist with a Ph.D. in conflict management and negotiation from Bar-Ilan University. Based in Israel, he teaches at Tel Aviv University as well as for several online learning communities and is a senior editor at Haaretz English Edition. He has contributed numerous articles to the newspaper on issues regarding Israeli society as well as regional and international conflict. He blogs at https://anothertakewithsteve.substack.com about conflict, human relations and complexity.
About Karen Morris
Karen Morris is the Education Director of Dor Hadash Religious School. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Indiana University, along with a certificate in Jewish Studies. She also earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from National Louis University in Chicago. Currently, Karen has worked as the Education Networker for the Mordecai Kaplan Center for Jewish Peoplehood, focusing on educational innovation. She is part of the Pardes Senior Educator Learning Fellowship, studying Mahloket Matters, and spent time during the summer of 2024 in Jerusalem as part of this program. Karen is married to Don, and together they have three children.
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