Justice 101: Faith, Sanctuary, and Community
Wednesday, December 09, 2026
5:30 - 7:30pm EST
- 5:30 pm ET: Doors Open
- 6:00 - 7:00 pm ET: Panel Discussion
- 7:00 - 7:30 pm ET: Reception
Presented as part of the Aaron Reichlin Restorative Justice and Faith Conversations. Made possible in part by a generous grant from the Reichlin and Tuck Families.
Many people consider religion an integral part of their daily lives and practices. While specific beliefs may differ, faith can be a unifying force both in and across religious groups. Faith helps us build community, provides sanctuary during times of hardship, and fosters joy and hope, and it plays a particularly powerful role in carceral settings.
In the spirit of Hanukkah, join us for an evening of conversation, music, and camaraderie. Together, we’ll celebrate the storied history and enduring spirit of the Jewish community at Eastern State Penitentiary—both inside the walls and as a bridge to outside life across the city of Philadelphia. We’ll also honor the spiritual bonds that bring incarcerated people together across religious traditions and reflect on the continued importance of faith in prisons today.
Speakers include Rabbi David Ackerman (Congregation Beth Am Israel).
About the Panelists:
Rabbi David Ackerman
(Congregation Beth Am Israel)
David Ackerman is the spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Am Israel in Penn Valley, PA where he teaches Torah, plays guitar, and works with others to build up a sacred community rich in learning, spirituality and kindness. Educated at Princeton University and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, David has served as Assistant Rabbi at Anshe Emet Synagogue in Chicago, Rabbi at Tiferet Bet Israel in Blue Bell, PA, and as Rabbi for National Outreach at the JTS. David and Nomi Shapiro are the grateful parents of Josh, Dani, Liam & Gabriel; Elijah & Natalie; and Rosie.
We strive to make the penitentiary and our site, programs, and exhibits accessible to all visitors. Click here to learn more about accessibility and accommodations at ESPHS.
This event is part of The Aaron Reichlin Restorative Justice and Faith Conversations, which bring together scholarship, performance, and dialogue to examine how faith traditions foster community, sustain people through and after incarceration, and inform conversations about reentry and justice reform.
This program is part of Justice 101, a discussion series that dives into some of the most pressing issues in criminal justice today, through a historical lens and with a focus on civic education. Each program includes interactive elements, expert voices, and opportunities for community dialogue.
This program is part of A Time for Liberty: Our Shared History, Our Shared Future, a yearlong slate of free, inclusive programs exploring the evolving meanings of liberty and justice in America. A Time for Liberty is made possible with support from civic and cultural partners including the City of Philadelphia, America250PA, Campus250, the Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial, the Philadelphia City Fund’s 2026 Milestone Grant Fund, supported by PECO, the National Trust Preservation Fund of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program series, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.