“A must-read for anyone navigating the work of justice and healing. Rabbi Ruttenberg weaves together stories and insights that prompt big questions for every person who aspires to build bridges and help shape a more just and inclusive nation and world.” —Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley
Please join us for an engaged discussion on this important and challenging book….

On Repentance and Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World taps 12th century writings from the Jewish physician and scholar, Maimonides, for a fresh perspective on how we make ourselves accountable to others. Rabbi Ruttenberg applies Maimonides’ five-step process to a variety of modern circumstances. As a UU Common Read selection, this book gives a glimpse into Judaism, one of Unitarian Universalism’s foundational sources, and invites us to follow our own faith into practices of transformative atonement.
At a time when Unitarian Universalists are striving to widen our circles, to improve our relationships across the interconnected web of life, and to become better builders of Beloved Community, On Repentance and Repair by Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg (Beacon Press, 2022) is a powerful choice for our next UU Common Read.
Please plan on joining Reverend Rachael, Jeff Clark, and John Gerber for a discussion of the topics presented in this book for:
Session One – Sunday, October 15 from 12:00 noon to 3:00pm in the Meetinghouse (in person)
The first session will explore repentance and repair in our own lives and interpersonal relationships, and is best accomplished in person. A light lunch will be available after the service. We will meet at the meetinghouse (either social hall or sanctuary).
Session Two – an evening session on Zoom to be scheduled in November (75 minutes)
The second session will focus on the Covenant and repentance and repair at the congregational level.
Session Three – an evening session on Zoom to be scheduled in early December (75 minutes)
The third session will focus on repentance and repair at the societal level. This will be particularly relevant to those interested in the Eighth Principle and reparations for injustices done to Indigenous Peoples in New England.
You can purchase the paperback version of the book now.
Please register so we can gauge the size of the first discussion group (and we have enough food for lunch). Attendance to all three sessions is encouraged, but not required. Please register below.
“The work of repentance, all the way through, is the work of transformation… It’s about ownership – owning who we have been and what we have done, and also owning the person that we are capable of becoming.” ~ Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg |