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Joe Klein

Profile Updated: January 8, 2025
Joe Klein
Class Year
1969
Residing In
Rochester, MI USA
Spouse/Partner
Barbara Klein
Children
Ellie Klein Goldman (1975) Boston
Adam Klein (1977) Atlanta
Occupation
Rabbi Emeritus, Adjunct Faculty Religious Studies
Joe Klein

Yearbook

Yes! Attending Reunion
Comments

Retired from full-time congregational rabbinate (Oak Park MI) to continue adjunct teaching at Oakland University and Rochester Christian University, and adult education through the Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit. Now the Visiting Rabbi of the Grosse Pointe Jewish Council.

Recently published on Amazon--
Reading Genesis Again For The First Time: A Radical Commentary

Major at Oberlin

Sociology/Anthropology

Do you plan to attend the 2023 reunion?

No

.

Previously joined '68 or '69 website for 50th reunion

Joe's Latest Interactions

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Joe Klein updated profile. View.
Jul
07
Jul 07, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Joe Klein posted a message.
Jul 07, 2025 at 7:26 AM

After teaching the book of Genesis for over 30 years in synagogues, churches, and universities, I have published "Reading Genesis Again For The First Time-- A Radical Commentary" (Amazon, July 2024)., It's a very different, but objectively honest commentary: there is a reason there are two Creation stories, and neither one is meant to explain how the world was created; the serpent is not evil, it’s God's agent; Adam and Eve did not sin, in fact God needed them to eat the fruit to get them out of the garden; Cain did not murder his brother, and should be seen as a "tragic hero"; Isaac, far from being a "patriarch," is a weak and seriously damaged child-man; Esau is not the evil twin of Jacob, but a sympathetic character to be pitied; and the Joseph narrative is essentially a story about the rivalry between Reuven and Judah for leadership of the clan.

Joe Klein has a birthday today.
Apr
22
Apr 22, 2025 at 4:33 AM
Joe Klein has a birthday today.
Apr 22, 2024 at 4:33 AM
Joe Klein posted a message.
Apr 14, 2024 at 7:20 AM

Looking back through the years, I realize how formative was my experience at Oberlin, both intellectually and socially. I did not, and could not, have known that lessons learned then would eventually direct me along unexpected and fulfilling paths, and for that I am grateful.

Joe Klein has a birthday today.
Apr 22, 2023 at 4:33 AM
Joe Klein changed profile picture.
Feb 28, 2023 at 6:48 AM