When the Law Falls Short: Empathy and the Work of Civic Repair

Date: Jun 04, 2026

Time: 8:30 am - 6:30 pm

Location: JTS

Category: Public Lectures & Events

When the Law Falls Short: Empathy and the Work of Civic Repair

Part I of the When the Law Falls Short Series

When the Law Falls Short: A Two-Part Series graphic

Thursday, June 4, 2026
In Person at JTS
3080 Broadway (at 122nd St)
New York City

This convening explores the limits of law and the ethical commitments required to sustain justice in democratic societies. Drawing on the Jewish legal concept of lifnim mishurat ha-din—the obligation to go beyond the letter of the law—the program examines how moral responsibility, empathy, and civic norms can supplement legal frameworks when law alone is insufficient. Across traditions, professions, and lived experience, participants will consider how individuals and institutions act when legality and justice diverge. 

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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

8:30–9:15 a.m. Breakfast 

9:30–9:45 a.m. Welcome

  • Rabbi Gordon Tucker, Vice Chancellor for Religious Life and Engagement, JTS
  • Dr. Tamara Neuman, Director of Convenings, JTS

10:00 am–11:15 a.m. Religious Law and Ethical Foundations  

  • Moderator: Rabbi Gordon Tucker 
  • Rabbi Jane Kanarek, Professor of Rabbinics and Dean of Faculty, Hebrew College 
  • Imam Dr. Khalil Abdur-Rashid, Muslim Chaplain and Lecturer, Muslim Studies, Harvard University 

11:15–11:30 a.m. Break

11:45 a.m.–1:00 p.m. When the Law Meets Ethics: Understanding Limits and Responsibilities 

  • Lincoln Caplan, Senior Research Scholar in Law, Yale University
  • Hon. Judith Bartnoff, Senior Associate Judge, Superior Court of the District of D.C.
  • Talia Milgrom-Elcott, Founder and Executive Director of Beyond100K
  • Dimitry Anselme, Smith Family Senior Vice President and Chief Officer, Facing History and Ourselves

1:15–2:15 p.m. Lunch

2:30–3:45 p.m. Afternoon Workshop— Ethics in Action: Applying Legal Principles to Civic Challenges

  • Workshop Leaders: Lincoln Caplan, Judith Bartnoff, Talia Milgrom-Elcott, and Dimitry Anselme

4:00–4:45 p.m. Reception

5:00–6:15 p.m. Rapaport Lecture: A Conversation on Law, Repair and Civic Life  

  • Moderator: Chancellor Shuly Rubin Schwartz 
  • Martha Minow, 300th Anniversary University Professor, Harvard Law School. 
  • Susan Sturm, George M. Jaffin Professor of Law and Social Responsibility, Columbia Law School

General Admission: $45

Rapaport Lecture: Free

Local Student Discount (New York and surrounding area students not attending JTS): $30.00

JTS Students, Faculty, and Staff: No charge 

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