When Evy Davis, a member of Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple in Beachwood, interacts with her rabbis on social media, she appreciates the way it connects her to the temple and the way it provides a different, insider’s view of the rabbis’ lives.
“I think that it communicates things going on in the temple, as well as in our little community, it keeps us in touch,” said Davis, a Beachwood resident.
For Davis, the communication isn’t limited to temple happenings. She also sees her rabbis, at times, speak out about political issues online. Specifically, when she saw her rabbis protesting both online and at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport after President Donald Trump issued an immigration ban on refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries in February – she said it went right along with the religious teachings that resonate with her at temple.
“I know some people think your clergy should never be involved in politics, but just, it’s impossible,” she said. “I’ve never seen my rabbi go too far, I just feel like it makes me feel closer to them.”
In today’s social media-centric climate, rabbis also see online presence as a way to connect with the community. It also shows a more intimate view into their stances on political issues such as the refugee ban, abortion, Israeli politics and social justice issues. Instead of relying on only discussions from the pulpit or one-on-one discussions with congregants, rabbis reach their congregants on such issues by sharing news articles on their Facebook page and writing opinion pieces, among other online methods. Moreover, many area rabbis have strong social media followings, who sometimes get into deep political and philosophical discussions within the comments of a news article or opinion piece posted by the rabbi – leaving them to play referee.
Unlike Davis, not all synagogue members see rabbis speaking out politically as a positive thing. To understand what they truly think, the Cleveland Jewish News conducted a survey, asking them about their rabbis’ social media usage and communications on controversial issues. We received about 75 responses representing 14 synagogues.
In a three-part series, the survey results are examined and reflected on, both by congregants and rabbis.
Result No. 1: Rabbis like Facebook, synagogue members generally supportive
The CJN put out a call for local synagogue members to participate anonymously in a survey during April and May. The survey asked about their rabbis’ social media usage, their opinions of it, and whether it impacts their spiritual life.
More than half of those surveyed said they followed their rabbis on Facebook, and about a quarter followed them on Twitter or read opinion pieces or blog posts their rabbi wrote elsewhere.
*Numbers rounded on all charts
Also, 61 percent said they were supportive of their rabbi’s social media activity.
Robin Eisen, a Shaker Heights resident who also attends Fairmount Temple and like Davis agreed to be interviewed after taking the survey, said for her, social media gives her a window into her rabbi’s “deep thoughts” on important issues. Moreover, she said for people who don’t go to synagogue often, social media gives them more personalized access to the rabbi than they would typically get in person.
“A lot of people only go twice a year, so it’s another way to say, ‘Hey, we are here,’” said Eisen, referring to those who attend synagogue only for the High Holy Days.
Result No. 2: Support becomes more complex when things get political
Although the survey showed rabbis typically discuss personal opinions both online and in person, fewer than 20 percent of those surveyed said they were not aware of their rabbi discussing such. However, support for rabbi’s social media usage drops to 46 percent when they post on a controversial or political topic, the survey indicated. More than 20 percent said they were not supportive of rabbis posting on political topics.
Among the most contentious issues were rabbis speaking out on U.S. elections and politics – 32 percent said they either were not supportive or had mixed feelings about it, while 43 percent said they were supportive. About 30 percent also said they were not supportive or had mixed feelings about rabbis speaking out about local or state politics.
However, more than half of respondents said they were supportive of rabbis speaking out about immigration and LGBTQ issues, and more than
60 percent said they were supportive of rabbis discussing interfaith topics and interracial relations. Israel and Middle East issues were least contentious, as
80 percent of congregants surveyed said they were supportive of rabbis voicing their opinions on them.
Result No. 3: To some, politics creates a barrier
While more than half of those surveyed said that they never felt uncomfortable or angered by something their rabbi posted online, 17 percent indicated they at least sometimes felt uncomfortable by a rabbi’s post.
Moreover, 11 people said their rabbi’s speaking out has made them less active with their synagogue, both financially and participatory (four people also said they only participate less, and one person said they only are less financially active).
However, on the other end, 22 percent said their rabbi’s opinions have influenced their own.
Mark Friedman, a member of the Temple Israel Ner Tamid in Mayfield Heights, said although he doesn’t believe rabbis should be “extraordinarily bold” in political opinions or endorsing candidates, he believes voicing some viewpoints are important and relate back to moral reasoning and Talmudic analysis, and brings things “full circle.” He also said he’s learned from discussions about issues with his rabbi.
“(He) oftentimes presents a point of view that I haven’t fully acknowledged or understood,” said Friedman, an Auburn Township resident.
NEXT WEEK: Rabbis share their social media habits.
