3 minute read
Ed Stafman
Although he’s well known for being a religious leader in the Bozeman community, Ed Stafman’s journey to discovering the Jewish faith tradition came later in life and “didn’t happen overnight.” He grew up in a “pretty nonobservant household,” he said and spent twenty-five years working as an attorney. But, he learned more about the faith tradition and began taking classes and workshops that inspired him, eventually spurring him to attend eight years of rabbinical school. “I begin to see it as a way to bring more spirituality, love and wisdom to the world,” Stafman said. “[I] became so excited about it I wanted to share it with others.” This newfound passion and profession led him to Montana. The first job that was posted on the listserv for rabbis that he received after becoming ordained was for a position in Bozeman. “It said, ‘Outside Magazine says that Bozeman is the best place to live in the United States and we’re looking for a rabbi,’” Stafman recalled. He would go on to serve in that position for a decade. During that time Stafman made an effort to reach out to and connect with the other religions in the area to help build community. He began the Interfaith Panel, a long running group that brought together leaders of different faiths to discuss a different topic every month. He also successfully encouraged the Bozeman Chronicle to broaden the scope of their religion column and include a rotating variety of voices, rather than just a Chrisitian point of view, and then managed that section for a number of years. “It affirmed our diversity,” Stafman said. He also helped to start a prayer group that consisted of clergy from different denominations. These interfaith efforts are important to Stafman so that people can see their commonalities. “For so much of history religion has been a force associated with war and violence and disagreement,” he said. “I believe that real religion crosses these boundaries.” Since stepping down from his role in his congregation, Stafman has run for public office and was elected to the Montana House of Representative in 2020. He said he thought it would be a good role for him to use both his experience as a lawyer and as a rabbi who’s brought people together. He noted that there are similar divisions amongst groups there that he has to work through. “We have the same problem where people come in with their tribes: Republican, Democrat, whatever,” Stafman said. “And we have to get past that tribality to solve problems.” Stafman is the Chair of the Children, Families, Health & Human Services Interim committee, the only freshman currently to have been elected Chair of a major committee. They are currently working to address gaps in mental health services and access. “Chairing that committee has been a big learning curve, but I’m proud of the work the committee has done. I’m optimistic that we’ll have ten whole bills.” In addition to his ongoing public service, Stafman has volunteered with Family Promise, the food band, Fork & Spoon Cafe, and Eagle Mount. One of his favorite things about the city is the sense of community present here and individuals, like himself, who actively seek to help others. “This community has always been willing to help those in need, and I’ve volunteered with all of those numerous times and the opportunity to do that is special too,” he said.
