Press and Media

Abi Dauber Sterne is a Jewish educator, organizational leader and the co-author, with Robbie Gringras, of Stories for the Sake of Argument. Their new book is a compilation of 24 short stories that are designed to get people arguing, but also engaging with, the tough issues that face Israel and the Jewish world. We sat down with Abi to discuss why we need to engage in difficult conversations with people from across political and ideological divides, and also, just as important if not more so, how we do this.

It’s rare that a text can accom­mo­date both indi­vid­ual study and class­room learn­ing. Yet in their lat­est edu­ca­tion­al resource, Sto­ries for the Sake of Argu­ment, Rob­bie Gringras and Abi Dauber Sterne do just that. Their book is an invalu­able plat­form for stu­dents and teach­ers alike to explore some of the thornier and more divi­sive ques­tions that Israelis and Amer­i­cans face daily.

Abi Dauber Sterne and Robbie Gringras want society to argue more. Really! The two veteran educators believe that arguments can be a constructive force in Israel education. Robbie and Abi, authors of the book Stories For The Sake of Argument, explain why argument does not always have to end in divisiveness, and how a healthy argument can bring people of opposing view points closer together. This conversation takes on added importance this week, in the aftermath of the Israeli election and as Israelis and Jews around the world prepare to observe and reflect on the 28th anniversary of the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, a time when the space for healthy arguments was missing in Israeli society.

We often like to think ourselves as an argumentative people and believe that is a good thing. After all, the Talmud is a record of debate that paves the way to truth. But in a world that feels increasingly polarised, the clash of views can seem more fractious, no more so than when we are talking about Israel. If we are losing the art of healthy argument, a new book co- authored by Israel-based educator Robbie Gringras hopes to show us a way to recover it.

The authors of Stories for the Sake of Argument hope to create citizens more skilled in earnest disagreement and reduce incidents where one tries to shout at the other into silence. In effect, they are continuing the Talmudic tradition of building a better world with more heavenly arguments.

Innovative Jewish educators Abi Dauber Sterne and Robbie Gringas have taken on a new approach to learning about Israel: Argument circles. Now, with the help of a $1.1 million grant from the Jim Joseph Foundation, For the Sake of Argument (FSA)’s pilot program will give Dauber Sterne and Gringas the opportunity to achieve successful execution of the program among Jewish community groups across the world.

An engaging conversation between Jessica Steinberg and Abi and Robbie on Times Will Tell, a weekly podcast from The Times of Israel, exploring the backstory and goals of Stories for the Sake of Argument.

The book is intended to be a guide for discussions both in classrooms and in homes. It is worthwhile because it frames many of the issues that Israel faces in new, more understandable ways, which people who devote themselves to ethical choices can debate and learn.

Abi Dauber Sterne is a Jewish educator, organizational leader and the co-author, with Robbie Gringras, of Stories for the Sake of Argument. Their new book is a compilation of 24 short stories that are designed to get people arguing, but also engaging with, the tough issues that face Israel and the Jewish world. We sat down with Abi to discuss why we need to engage in difficult conversations with people from across political and ideological divides, and also, just as important if not more so, how we do this.

It’s rare that a text can accom­mo­date both indi­vid­ual study and class­room learn­ing. Yet in their lat­est edu­ca­tion­al resource, Sto­ries for the Sake of Argu­ment, Rob­bie Gringras and Abi Dauber Sterne do just that. Their book is an invalu­able plat­form for stu­dents and teach­ers alike to explore some of the thornier and more divi­sive ques­tions that Israelis and Amer­i­cans face daily.

Abi Dauber Sterne and Robbie Gringras want society to argue more. Really! The two veteran educators believe that arguments can be a constructive force in Israel education. Robbie and Abi, authors of the book Stories For The Sake of Argument, explain why argument does not always have to end in divisiveness, and how a healthy argument can bring people of opposing view points closer together. This conversation takes on added importance this week, in the aftermath of the Israeli election and as Israelis and Jews around the world prepare to observe and reflect on the 28th anniversary of the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, a time when the space for healthy arguments was missing in Israeli society.

We often like to think ourselves as an argumentative people and believe that is a good thing. After all, the Talmud is a record of debate that paves the way to truth. But in a world that feels increasingly polarised, the clash of views can seem more fractious, no more so than when we are talking about Israel. If we are losing the art of healthy argument, a new book co- authored by Israel-based educator Robbie Gringras hopes to show us a way to recover it.

The authors of Stories for the Sake of Argument hope to create citizens more skilled in earnest disagreement and reduce incidents where one tries to shout at the other into silence. In effect, they are continuing the Talmudic tradition of building a better world with more heavenly arguments.

Innovative Jewish educators Abi Dauber Sterne and Robbie Gringas have taken on a new approach to learning about Israel: Argument circles. Now, with the help of a $1.1 million grant from the Jim Joseph Foundation, For the Sake of Argument (FSA)’s pilot program will give Dauber Sterne and Gringas the opportunity to achieve successful execution of the program among Jewish community groups across the world.

An engaging conversation between Jessica Steinberg and Abi and Robbie on Times Will Tell, a weekly podcast from The Times of Israel, exploring the backstory and goals of Stories for the Sake of Argument.

The book is intended to be a guide for discussions both in classrooms and in homes. It is worthwhile because it frames many of the issues that Israel faces in new, more understandable ways, which people who devote themselves to ethical choices can debate and learn.