Rabbi Menashe East, spiritual leader of Mt. Freedom Jewish Center, led a fascinating three-part series called “Judaism’s Second Torah: The Oral Torah.” The classes, which were offered free of charge under the auspices of NCJW, West Morris Section’s Our Jewish World, was held from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, Oct. 22, Oct. 29, and Nov. 5, at the Morris County Library, 30 E. Hanover Ave., Whippany. Our Jewish World is co-chaired by Ellen Nesson and Melanie Levitan. Rabbi East pointed out that, generally speaking, the Talmud is made up of two types of text—legal and narrative. “We will be looking at different instances of how the Law and the Lore interact,” the rabbi pointed out. “Jewish life is not about strict legalism alone or dogma and values alone. The two are essential to Jewish life and thought.” Known as “Rav Menashe,” the rabbi attended the Open Orthodox yeshiva, Yeshivat Chovevei Torah (YCT), founded by Rabbi Avi Weiss. In YCT’s study hall, he was exposed to rigorous Torah scholarship and spirituality and an open-mindedness to the breadth of Jewish thinking and people. Alongside his rabbinic studies, Rav Menashe pursued a master’s of social work degree at Yeshiva University. Rav Menashe sits on the Rabbinic Council of the Hebrew Academy of Morris County (the area’s community Jewish day school), as well as the Rabbinic Council of Morris County. He is a founder of the Interfaith Council of Morris County, through which he has worked to promote interfaith programs and foster understanding throughout the Morris County community. The seminar leader has also become involved in the United Jewish Communities of MetroWest. He currently sits on UJC board of directors. And he participated in important programs such as the Arthur Borinsky Young Leadership Program, and is a co-facilitator for the Shalom Hartman Lecture Series sponsored by MetroWest.
