JANUARY TOPIC: How Jewish Was Paul, Really? A Conversation with Rabbi Joe Charnes

GRAB YOUR COFFEE AND JOIN US…

The Bridge Builders Coffee and Connection is a monthly online gathering where we bring together friends of the Bridge Builders Forum for meaningful conversation.

In this session, Bridge Builders Forum founder Ryan Lambert will be joined by his friend and colleague Rabbi Joe Charnes for an honest and focused discussion centered on one enduring and often misunderstood question:

How Jewish was Paul, really?

The Apostle Paul remains one of the most influential figures in Christian history and one of the most contested when it comes to his Jewish identity and his relationship to Judaism. In this Coffee and Connection, Ryan and Rabbi Joe will engage Paul as Jewish interpreters who both take Paul’s Jewishness seriously, even while approaching it from different perspectives.

Together, they will explore how Paul understood himself, how he should be framed in relation to Judaism, and why Jewish engagement with Paul continues to matter today. This conversation will model how Jewish voices can engage Paul with seriousness, nuance, and respect — embracing both agreement and difference without polemics.

Following the discussion, the floor will be open for questions and interaction with participants.

After the discussion, the floor will be open for your questions.

When: Tuesday, January 20th, 2026 | 9:00–10:00 AM EASTERN 
Cost: $10 (or free for Bridge Builders - monthly donors of $25 or more)