We will explore frameworks for arguments in Jewish tradition and probe the 'necessary' ingredients for debate and argument that leads to generative discourse. This session will use a variety of Jewish texts to consider the terms for 'sacred' argumentation in Jewish tradition and we will probe the hypothesis as to what must be at the foundation of an argument that has the potential to result in something productive or 'for the sake of heaven'.

Rabbi Jessy Dressin (she/her) is the Founding Executive Director of a new initiative in Baltimore, MD - Third Space at Shaarei Tfiloh. Prior to this new role, Rabbi Jessy served as the rabbi on staff and the Senior Director of Jewish Education at Repair the World. Since being ordained at HUC-JIR in Los Angeles, in 2012, Jessy has worked as a community rabbi responding to trends and behaviors of young Jews looking for meaningful ways to connect to Judaism that are relevant and resonant to their daily lives. She has given an Eli Talk titled "The New Wanderers: God, Millennials and Jewish Engagement" and recently published an essay in "This is Your Song Too: Phish and Contemporary Jewish Identity". Rabbi Jessy aims daily to help work towards Judaism's three primary goals (as she defines them): personal meaning making, the imperative to be part of a collective, and the responsibility to build a more hole and just world. She loves live music, ritual, hiking, cooking, being with family and friends and nurturing community that is representative, diverse and joyful.