Bio
Rabbi Yonason Goldson
Graduating from the University of California at Davis with a degree in English, I took the only practical course open to me and began hitchhiking across the United States. Returning home after five months, my resolve to enroll in a graduate program for social work gave way before a recurrent bout of travel fever, and I set out to backpack across Europe, intending to continue on to Africa and Australia, and to revisit Asia as a follow-up to my previous trip around the world. (But that’s another story.)
Half-a-year in Europe left me burned out on travel and psychologically drained, so I crossed the Mediterranean for the Land of Israel, supposing I would occupy myself picking oranges on a kibbutz before returning to the road. You can read about some of it here.
A strong dollar had given a few million other American youths a similar idea, and there wasn’t a spot on any kibbutz to be found. With dwindling funds and a weary constitution, I took the first opportunity that presented itself: yeshiva.
It took Rabbi Dovid Gottleib two months to convince me that the Torah had indeed been handed down from Sinai. It took me nearly nine years to begin to learn the language, begin to study the accumulated wisdom of 3300 years, begin to familiarize myself with the ins and outs of Jewish law and practice, start a family, and acquire the most rudimentary qualifications to teach Torah to others. I describe the influence of my background in literature on my transformation to Torah observance here.
A year in Budapest, Hungary, followed, then two years in Atlanta, Georgia. You can get a taste of Hungary here.
My family now lives in St. Louis, Missouri, where I teach Torah at Block Yeshiva High School. My writings can be found frequently at jewishworldreview.com, aish.com, and beyondbt.com, and occasionally in the Jewish Observer, HaModia, and Jewish Action. For several years I was a regular columnist with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and an irregular contributor to the Baltimore Sun.
When unencumbered by the responsibilities of my day-job, I can be found as an adult lecturer on contemporary issues, parenting, education, and Jewish philosophy. I have also served as a guest scholar-in-residence and a ba’al tefillah (or chazzan) for the High Holidays. Sample programs for Shabbatonim or Scholar-in-residence weekends can be viewed here.
Interested parties can contact me at torahideals [at] att.net.
To be added to my mailing list, send an email to torahideals-subscribe [at] yahoogroups.com.
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Perspectives
Dawn to Destiny:
Exploring Jewish History and its Hidden Wisdom
By Rabbi Yonason Goldson
A comprehensive overview of Jewish History from Creation through the redaction of the Talmud, illuminating the intricacies and complexities of Torah tradition and philosophy according to the sages and classical commentaries, spanning the length and breadth of Jewish experience to resolve many of history’s most perplexing episodes, offering profound insights and showing their relevance to life in the modern world.
How did the sin of Adam transform mankind and the world? How were the prophecies of Noah fulfilled through the rise of the Greek Empire? Why did lifespans shrink so dramatically after the Flood? How did the builders of the Tower of Babel believe they could wage war against G-d? Why did the Torah have to be given in both written and oral form? What was King David’s transgression regarding his involvement with BasSheva? Why did some Jews oppose the construction of the Second Temple? How can we trust the transmission of Torah if our scholars engaged in such fierce disagreements? These and many other questions are answered in this unique volume.
An invaluable resource for scholars and laymen. A priceless tool for education and outreach. With approbations from HaRav Dovid Cohen and HaRav Zev Leff.
FOR EXCERPTS CLICK HERE.
FOR ORDERING INFORMATION CLICK HERE.
Mission Statement for the Jewish People — from the extraordinary wisdom of Rav Shraga Feivel Mendelovitz, founder of Torah education in America.
Why Jews are Liberals — the origins of ideological confusion, and a follow-up piece exploring the practical applications.
The End of the Age of Reason — the sages’ vision of a future that is at our doorstep, and a follow-up piece in response to, and including, some colorful comments.
Israel: History, Politics, and Ideology — Answers to the attacks of apologists and antagonists.
Defining “Objective” History — How can we determine the accuracy of historical records? How do we resolve contradictions in history?
Evolution Forum — Is it possible to have a civil debate on the subject?
The Language of Confusion — 60 years after 1984, Orwell’s prophetic dystopia remains more relevant than ever.
The Final Battlefield – The current economic crisis foretold a thousand years ago and the climax of the ultimate ideological war. Also, variations on a theme inspired by Pink Floyd and this recipe for the only truly secure investment.
The Fallacy of Moral Relativism — How I taught a class of cynical teenagers the illogic of unrestricted personal freedom.
Hurricane Season– With meteorologists predicting more hurricanes on the scale of Gustav, Ike, and Katrina, these thoughts on the Pacific Rim Tsunami are worth another look.
Talking the to the Wall Department — My efforts to engage an ideologue in civil discourse. Draw your own conclusions, and feel free to weigh in … respectfully.
Insights into the weeky Torah Portion
Donate to Block Yeshiva High School — I know of no finer educational institution in the world that prepares students to become materially and spiritually successful adults. Our graduates are the greatest evidence of our commitment to excellence.
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS– I am often available as a scholar-in-residence, chazzan-in-residence, or lecturer. For lecture topics and samples of weekend programming click here. Inquiries may be directed to the email below:
Contact me at torahideals [at] att.net.
Loved your article about your stay in Hungary. I’ve also been pushed to do things I would have never done in order to get out from under debts. However, nothing as drastic as going to Hungary to teach English. I have a brother-in-law who lives in Budapest parttime with his Hungarian wife Zsuzsa. I always wondered what it was like over there. Besides giving me some idea about what Hungary is like, the article was completely delightful, funny, moving, and evocative. Great writing. Looking forward to more of your stuff.
Comment by Varda Branfman | August 31, 2008
I really liked your article about your stay in Hungary, especially because I’m one of the hungarian girls your wife used to teach!! I remember babysitting your adoreable kids, and Mrs Goldson even left me her Kitchenaid before you left!
I was wondering if you could e-mail me your phone number, bec I’d love to get in touch with your wife.
thank you for a great year: yudit ungar (rona)
Comment by yudit ungar | October 12, 2008
Rabbi,
While in Atlanta, did you know a really wonderful man named Sheldon Little? His wife is a cousin to the famous Arlene Peck.
I am sorry to say Sheldon died several months ago. He is sorely missed.
Did you know any Hazans? Randy Hazan is a good buddy of mine. I see him down at the Atlanta Masonic Center near Tech for the lecture championships.
alles mi best immer!
Steven Edward Aanes in Oakwood GA 30566
Comment by Steven Edward Aanes | September 4, 2009
The names are not familiar, I’m afraid. Then again, my memory for names isn’t what it used to be.
Comment by torahideals | September 6, 2009
Rabbi, Excellent article on why Jews are liberal. I had come to a similar conclusion regarding the Catholic faith.
This question had interested me for decades from two perspectives.
First, the one you describe. An abdication of personal responsibility to charity. I have had this discussion with the hierarchy or the Catholic church for many years. My point is that once you abdicate the decision for this personal responsibility to a government, you no longer have the right to complain if the population spends your tax dollars in a way you find offensive. Therefore the best program is to NOT support government sponsored charity. (Which is not the same as NOT doing anything for the poor, the programs can and should different)
Second is more forward looking. Given the history of oppression (which takes many forms) that is universally proven for large, central governments; why would a black, woman or jew support a political party striving for this authority? The end is without question when power consolidates. I would expect rational beings that have been oppressed in the past to be extremely wary of creating the mechanism for the next oppression. Current ideology in parts of the democrat party appears to be an attempt at payback, damn the consequences. I asked the Rabbi that was teaching a course I was taking this question, the implied question being – “A government of the same programs came to power in Germany and the outcome was catastrophic, why support that path here?” Her response was chilling, “Probably because it hasn’t happened here yet.”
How do we convince our fellow citizens that there is a place for government, a place for religion AND that one works best when small and the other works best when it consumes our lives?
All the best,
tom fields
Comment by tom fields | April 30, 2010