PreviousNext

Anthony Rogers-Wright

Anthony Rogers-Wright was born to a Christian mother and Muslim father and was raised Muslim in keeping with the Krio Tribe tradition of raising the male child the religion of the father, although growing up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan allowed Anthony to be immersed in Reform Jewish culture. Anthony has been playing the violin and bass guitar since the age of 8 and completed his undergraduate studies in Massachusetts with a double major in Environmental Science and Policy and Jazz Composition while playing in local and regional bands. After two years of study, Anthony converted at the American Jewish University (formerly University of Judaism) in Los Angeles. When not on the road, Anthony can be found in Los Angeles, where he is very active in LimmudLA and IKAR.

Words of Terror in the Torah

Asher Gellis, Anthony Rogers-Wright

Saturday 11:00 AM–12:15 PM Newport Beach 1

Identity and Responsibility, Text and Thought

There can be no doubt that certain passages and indeed full parshas of the Torah of caused some in our respective congregations to recoil in horror. This is specifically true of those members of our congregations that identify themselves as LGBT, Jews of Color, and women. In this session, we will explore those passages and parshas in the literal context, apply these texts to a modern context with the overall hope of moving from literalism to interpretation to tolerance.

Jewish Song Leading

Anthony Rogers-Wright, Shep Rosenman

Sunday 1:00 PM–2:15 PM Catalina Ballroom 2

Arts and Performance, Global History and Culture

Join musician/activist/professional volunteer Anthony Rogers-Wright and entertainment attorney/musician Shep Rosenman and surprise guests and allow yourself to be led in various traditional and not so traditional Jewish songs. Please bring your instruments, your voices, and your imagination to this session that puts the "cool" in collaboration.

Guess Who’s Coming to Shabbat?

Eric Greene, Anthony Rogers-Wright

Sunday 2:30 PM–3:45 PM Laguna Beach 2

Identity and Responsibility, Teen Approved

This session will seek to educate the larger Jewish community about the experience of being a Jew of Color within a predominantly Ashkenazi world. Specific issues to be discussed include, but will not be limited to, dating/marriage, identification, stereotypes/racism within the Jewish community and others.