Sarah Hurwitz - From Political Narratives to Sacred Stories
Summary
Rabbi David Engber interviews Sarah Hurwitz, former chief speechwriter for Michelle Obama, about her journey from political writing to rediscovering her Jewish identity. Hurwitz discusses her new book, *As a Jew*, and reflects on how she moved from a superficial upbringing to engaging deeply with Jewish texts and wisdom. The conversation explores themes of authenticity, the art of speechwriting, and reclaiming one’s heritage amidst modern pressures.
Topics discussed
Introduction: Sarah Hurwitz and her journey from speechwriting to Judaism
Early life, Harvard, and the craft of political speechwriting
Working with Michelle Obama and the art of capturing a voice
Discovering Judaism through a yoga class and studying tradition
Writing 'As a Jew': The motivation and impact of the book
Pandemic reflections, chaplaincy, and re-evaluating Jewish identity
Antisemitism, the Israel-Hamas war, and the loss of moral innocence
Political disillusionment and the crisis of liberal Zionism
Entering rabbinical school and future plans for writing
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