When attacked, how far is too far in the name of justice? In the biblical tale of Dinah, Shimon and Levi’s violent retribution against Shkhem raises searing questions: Were their actions defensible? Should the community have held its prince accountable? And—crucially—can anyone in Shkhem be called innocent?  Alongside these weighty questions and their parallels to current conflicts, we’ll discover a quieter, more intimate layer of the story: the language of nurturing relationships and the divine as mother. What does it mean to seek justice—and mercy—in a world of impossible choices? In this session, we may not find all the answers, but by wrestling with the text, we’ll uncover better, sharper questions about justice, responsibility, and humanity.

Author, musician, and philanthropist Ethan Daniel Davidson has authored 2 books, recorded 15 albums and toured throughout North America and Europe. In 2005 he left his touring life and returned to his Detroit roots where he helps run the William Davidson Foundation established by his late father, Bill Davidson. The private family foundation strives to fulfill its founder’s legacy by advancing the economic, cultural, and civic vitality of Southeast Michigan, the State of Israel, and the Jewish community for future generations.