"I Seek My Brothers": Communal Apology and the Ritual of the Broken-Necked Heifer

The events of October 7 have left Israeli society and Jewish communities in the U.S. in a complex and painful reality. Community members have experienced trauma, a rise in antisemitism, and a sense that certain Jewish voices are being excluded from public discourse. The divide within the Jewish people appears deeper than ever.

This session will explore the concept of communal apology. How does Jewish tradition utilize sacred spaces to create opportunities for forgiveness, listening, and communal healing? Through the ancient ritual of the broken-necked heifer (egla arufa), we will examine how Jewish tradition fosters collective responsibility and reconciliation.