Scholars in Residence Series, Part 4: Rabbi Ed Feinstein, Beit Midrash Fellowship

Scholars in Residence: Bridging Knowledge, Experience, and Purpose
A four-part series spotlighting Milken’s Scholars in Residence

Launched in Fall 2023, Milken Community School’s Scholars in Residence program brings distinguished leaders, thinkers, and practitioners into the life of the school, offering students rare opportunities to learn directly from experts who are shaping their fields. Now entering its third year, the program continues to grow—deepening Milken’s commitment to academic excellence, real-world learning, and the integration of Jewish values across disciplines by intentionally bridging theory and practice.

This year, Milken is highlighting its Scholars in Residence through a four-part article series, celebrating both new and returning scholars. For the 2025–2026 school year, Milken proudly welcomes Victor Kohn and Dr. Sam Torbati as its newest Scholars in Residence, while continuing its meaningful partnerships with Rabbi Ed Feinstein, now in his third year as Beit Midrash Fellowship Scholar in Residence, and Maestra Noreen Green, in her second year as Performing Arts Scholar in Residence. Milken is also grateful to Dr. Leon Alkalai, who concluded his two-year residency last year.

Rabbi Ed Feinstein | Beit Midrash Fellowship Scholar in Residence

Now in his third year as Milken’s Beit Midrash Fellowship Scholar in Residence, Rabbi Ed Feinstein continues to bring his signature blend of intellectual rigor, humor, and spiritual insight to classrooms across campus.

Rabbi Feinstein is a renowned theologian, author, and educator known for his inspiring teachings on Judaism and spirituality. He serves the Valley Beth Shalom community as a teacher, pastor, and visionary leader, helping guide the spiritual development of his congregation. In addition to his leadership at Valley Beth Shalom, Rabbi Feinstein serves on the faculty of the Ziegler Rabbinical School at American Jewish University, where he mentors and trains the next generation of Jewish leaders.

A prolific writer and speaker, Rabbi Feinstein is the author of several influential books, including Tough Questions Jews Ask and The Chutzpah Imperative: Empowering Today's Jews for a Life That Matters. His thought-provoking teachings explore Jewish ethics, theology, and the enduring questions that shape Jewish life today.

At Milken, Rabbi Feinstein works closely with Rabbi Shamash’s 10th grade Beit Midrash classes, where students engage deeply with Jewish texts and ideas. His visits transform the classroom into a space of lively intellectual exploration, one where students are encouraged not only to learn tradition, but to challenge it, question it, and wrestle with it.

Rather than offering easy answers, Rabbi Feinstein invites students into the centuries-old Jewish tradition of debate and interpretation.

“Rabbi Feinstein creates a space where we can really think and challenge each other,” one student reflected. “He lets us form our own opinions first, and then guides the conversation so we can explore the complexity of the issue together.”

During one session, students explored a difficult ethical dilemma involving Alzheimer’s and medical decision-making. The discussion moved fluidly between Jewish text, philosophy, and contemporary questions about autonomy and responsibility.

Another student shared how the experience reshaped their understanding of Jewish learning:
“You taught us that we don’t have to consult God for every decision—we’re meant to use our own reasoning and moral judgment. That idea really stayed with me.”

Rabbi Feinstein also challenges students to rethink traditional metaphors about faith and authority. In one conversation, he explored the idea that the relationship between humans and God can be understood as similar to that between a parent and a child.

“As strange as it sounded at first, the idea that a parent wants their child to surpass them really made me think,” one student reflected. “It made me reconsider what it means to grow in our relationship with God.”

Other students described how his teaching encourages deeper reflection about ethics and the role of questioning in Jewish life.

“Rabbi Feinstein constantly pushes us to think more deeply,” another student shared. “He asks questions that challenge our assumptions and makes us consider perspectives we hadn’t thought of before.”

Beyond the classroom, Rabbi Feinstein’s impact extends to the broader Milken community. During faculty lunch-and-learn sessions, he engages teachers in conversations about Jewish learning, moral reasoning, and how timeless texts can illuminate modern challenges. He has also spent time learning with the Milken Scholars cohort, guiding them through rich discussions about Jewish thought, ethics, and intellectual curiosity.

His dynamic approach to teaching leaves a lasting impression on both students and colleagues. As Rabbi Joseph Shamash, Jewish Studies Teacher, reflects:

“Rabbi Feinstein is a captivating educator. He doesn’t just teach Jewish texts; he creates experiences and brings them to life. Whether unpacking centuries-old Talmudic debates or guiding students through a mock trial of a real-life ethical dilemma, he invites them to step into our tradition as active participants and co-owners—continuing the sacred conversation across generations.”

Across each setting—whether with students, faculty, or scholars—Rabbi Feinstein brings the same core message: Jewish learning is not about memorizing answers, but about cultivating the courage to ask meaningful questions.

Through the Scholar in Residence program, Rabbi Feinstein helps students see that Jewish tradition is not static or distant. Instead, it is a living conversation: one that invites them to think critically, speak thoughtfully, and engage deeply with the moral and spiritual questions that shape their lives.