SYNAGOGUE GUIDE
Rabbi Brings Theater
Of Teaching to Dor Tamid
By Kevin Madigan
[email protected]
ater and how it relates to what you do.
Katz: I had two Jewish theater companies, and I taught in intergenerationabbi David Katz from Rochester, al circumstances. I was studying that
N.Y., is the interim spiritual lead- wholeheartedly as a discipline in itself.
er at Congregation Dor Tamid, Even then, I was writing papers about
replacing Rabbi Michael Weinstein at religion and art and ethics to motivate
the Johns Creek synagogue.
people to do good through theater. That
Rabbi Katz holds degrees from was one of my themes in college, actuNorthwestern University and earned ally. There are certain playwrights, and
his master of Hebrew letters and mas- that is their goal. Bertolt Brecht, he had
ter of arts in Hebrew education from a very serious philosophy: You’re not
Hebrew Union College. Ordained in just there to entertain, but to change
1981, he went on to become a Reform the world. And he had a very particuJewish educator.
lar term that he created, the Alienation
We talked in his ofEffect, meaning the aufice, still filled with undience should always be
packed boxes.
kept a little off-kilter, not
be brought in emotionally,
AJT: How do you see
but judging, always beyour role here?
ing critical and objective,
Katz: The congregawalking out not only havtion needs to take a bit of
ing learned something,
a break in order to re-enbut planning to do somevision itself and see what
thing.
it’s all about before movThat was just one
ing to a long-term rabbi.
playwright who tried to
My role is pretty much to
figure out how art could
Rabbi David Katz
come and talk to people
be more than just for art’s
and find out what their
sake, that it could produce
needs are and make things as good change. But it could be used for the opfor the future rabbi as can be, whether posite effect too. You could get a whole
that involves any political divisiveness, group of people riled for the wrong moregrouping of staff, hiring or helping tives. … When I listen to a sermon or
hire new people. It could be leadership watch a performance, I really wonder
strengthening; it could be anything how someone’s mind can change.
for the congregation to see itself in a
very strong position in the future. This
AJT: What do you like to do when
place is very upbeat. Things are hap- you’re not working?
pening that are good, and there is great
Katz: I read a lot; I’m reading biogpotential as well. It’s inspiring in many raphies, nonfiction. I like theater, movways. It will become an even stronger ies. Right now I’m trying to get settled,
environment.
acclimated, putting together my office.
I love a night out, dining, jazz groups.
AJT: Did you know in college you
wanted to become a rabbi?
AJT: What is personally satisfying
Katz: I’ve always been interested to you about your work?
in teaching and learning, and I’ve been
Katz: Teaching is satisfying. Helpdifferent types of rabbi, but they’ve al- ing people to prioritize their lives, to see
ways been in the area of where the pri- what is important in life. People are ofmary point is to teach others. When I ten confused. They hurt, or intellectuwas studying theater, it occurred to me ally they just want to be inspired. They
that theater could be a good learning want to go deeper and deeper, so one
tool. And when I did my master of edu- of the greatest pleasures is doing that
cation, I learned about teaching to the with people in whatever circumstance
mind and the heart simultaneously, so they’re in — to help them become the
whether I’ve been an educator leading best the 䁍