On November 8th-9th, 2024, the Zahava and Moshael J. Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought held its annual shabbaton at Congregation Shearith Israel, the historic Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The program featured Dr. Michael Doran, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and renowned expert on U.S. foreign policy.

After the Friday evening prayers, Straus Center Director Rabbi Dr. Meir Soloveichik delivered a lecture on the spiritual significance of Argentinian President Javier Milei’s visit to the Ohel, the burial place of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. During dinner, Straus Scholar Yaakov Willner (YC ‘25), who interned for Dr. Doran this past summer at the Hudson Institute, provided introductory remarks. Subsequently, Rabbi Soloveichik interviewed Dr. Doran, exploring his transition from academia to government and his tenure as a National Security Council advisor under President George W. Bush. The evening concluded with a lively Q&A session with Straus Scholars.

On Shabbat morning, the Straus Scholars experienced the unique liturgical traditions of Shearith Israel, the oldest Jewish congregation in North America, as well as a sermon by Rabbi Soloveichik. During the lunch meal, Rabbi Soloveichik and Dr. Doran engaged in a thought-provoking dialogue on the Middle East’s evolving strategic landscape. Dr. Doran’s analysis, grounded in decades of policy experience, provided participants with a nuanced perspective on contemporary challenges facing Israel and the broader region. Finally, in the afternoon, Rabbi Soloveichik led a tour of the historic synagogue building and delivered a lecture on Rembrandt and the Jews.

The Shabbaton provided the Straus Scholars an inspiring and enlightening program that advanced the Straus Center’s mission of blending Jewish tradition with modern intellectual discourse.