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As the first Asian American to be ordained as a rabbi, Rabbi Angela Buchdahl joins Washington Hebrew to share the fascinating story of her life in her new book, Heart of a Stranger: An Unlikely Rabbi’s Story of Faith, Identity, and Belonging. This stirring memoir recounts her journey from feeling like an outsider to becoming one of the most admired religious leaders in the world. Note: The author is not able to do a book signing, but pre-signed books will be available for purchase.

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About the Author

Rabbi Angela Warnick Buchdahl serves as the Senior Rabbi of Central Synagogue in New York City and is the first woman to lead the congregation in its 180-year history. Buchdahl was born in Seoul, the daughter of a Korean Buddhist mother and Jewish American father. Profoundly spiritual from a young age, by sixteen she felt the first stirrings to become a rabbi. Despite the naysayers and periods of self-doubt—Would a mixed-race woman ever be seen as authentically Jewish or chosen to lead a congregation?—she stayed the course, which took her first to Yale, then to rabbinical school, and finally to the pulpit of one of the largest, most influential congregations in the world.

Today, Angela Buchdahl inspires Jews and non-Jews alike with her invigorating, joyful approach to worship and her belief in the power of faith, gratitude, and responsibility for one another, regardless of religion. She does not shy away from difficult topics, from racism within the Jewish community and the sexism she confronted when she aspired to the top job to rising antisemitism today. Buchdahl teaches how these challenges, which can make one feel like a stranger, can ultimately be the source of our greatest empathy and strength.

This event is the Leslie Maitland Annual Lecture. One Amram lecture bears her name each year to honor her robust volunteer service at WHC. 

About the Amram Scholar Series

This dynamic program of public lectures brings world-renowned authors, scholars, political leaders, policy experts, and theologians to WHC to share their perspectives on timely issues or their research into Jewish culture and history. Every year, we are pleased to present prominent writers of the nation’s newest works on topics of Jewish interest, often in cooperation with the Jewish Book Council. For more information, click here.

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