November 30, 2020
Before becoming a rabbi, Benay Lappe wanted to be a Buddhist monk.
While Jews have often been drawn to Eastern traditions, few dedicate nearly a decade to becoming a devout Buddhist in Japan. Lappe is hardcore. But before making her final commitment, she consulted with a rabbi in Tokyo who gave her a copy of “Pirkei Avot.”
This little Jewish book of wisdom “messed me up,” she said, and she had the realization that Jews were indeed as wise as Buddhists.
Source: In Chicago, an LGBTQ Talmud study center gets a pandemic boost - Forward