Rabbi Angela Buchdahl on the Power of Empathy in Faith

Angela Buchdahl is a trailblazer as the first female and Asian American rabbi leading New York's Central Synagogue, a noted reform Jewish community that garners an international audience through her thought-provoking sermons.

During a segment on CBS Mornings, Rabbi Buchdahl shared insights into her philosophy of 'radical compassion,' rooted deeply in her personal history. Growing up as a Korean-Jewish individual in America, she often felt like she was on the periphery of various communities.

"Throughout my life, I've experienced a sense of being an outsider—both in Korean and Jewish circles," Buchdahl reflected. "That sense of otherness cultivated a profound empathy in me, which now fuels my efforts to ensure people feel they belong."

Angela was born in South Korea to parents of contrasting religious backgrounds. They relocated to Tacoma, Washington, when she was five years old. In her youth, she frequently confronted doubts about her Jewish identity because of her maternal lineage.

"At times, people would question my faith because my mother wasn’t Jewish. There were moments when I considered stepping away from Judaism. However, understanding the experience of being 'the other' turned into a cornerstone of my Jewish identity," she elaborated.

Her upcoming memoir, 'Heart of a Stranger: An Unlikely Rabbi's Journey of Faith, Identity, and Belonging,' draws inspiration from a biblical injunction that cautions against marginalizing outsiders and emphasizes leading with empathy.

Initially joining the synagogue as a cantor, music became a fundamental part of her spiritual expression. Her homilies frequently address empathy and societal inclusion.

In her Rosh Hashanah address, Rabbi Buchdahl urged her congregation to adopt empathy not as a weakness or betrayal but as a testament to shared humanity, crucial in periods marked by social strife and tension.

"I'm aware I can't single-handedly resolve global conflicts. My focus, instead, is on how these events impact our hearts when we cease to care," she remarked.

Leading a community as vast as Central Synagogue comes with great demands. Buchdahl credits her resilience and leadership resolve to her mother’s example.

"Witnessing my mother's composure when others dismissed her due to her accent instilled in me a sense of dignity and tenacity. When faced with challenges, I lean on those principles to persevere," she concluded.