Collaborating with Korean musicians Bora Kim and Jina Hwang

Rabbi Buchdahl with her mother, niece, and sister in Seoul

With parents Sulja and Fred Warnick at the opening ceremony for Israel Education Research Center (IERC) at Seoul National University (SNU).

Speaking at the IERC SNU opening ceremony

With Israeli Ambassador to Korea Akiva Tor, wife Naomi Tor, and Deputy Ambassador for Israel Barak Shine

With US Ambassador to Korea Phillip Goldberg

Meditating with her mother Sulja Warnick and sister Gina Coletti

With Rabbi Emeritus Peter J. Rubinstein at her installation as Central's Senior Rabbi in 2014

This summer marks a significant milestone for our community and Rabbi Angela Buchdahl: the 18th anniversary of her installation as Central Synagogue’s Senior Cantor. It also marks her tenth year as our Senior Rabbi. As the first Korean American Rabbi in North America, it feels bashert (destined) that her Chai (representing 18) anniversary coincided with her participation in a groundbreaking event for Korean and Jewish culture: the opening of the Israel Education Research Center (IERC) at Seoul National University (SNU).

SNU is now the first academic center in Korea dedicated to the study of Hebrew, Jewish history, and Israel studies. The country boasts one of the highest percentages of university-educated individuals in the world. While Israel offers numerous Korean courses at Tel Aviv University and Hebrew University has a vibrant Korean studies program, there has been no institution of higher learning in Korea where one could take Hebrew classes or study Jewish history—until now.

“This center is long overdue,” Rabbi Buchdahl shared. “But the timing feels particularly important now in the face of academic boycotts of Israel elsewhere. I am so deeply moved and appreciative that Seoul National University has the vision to build bridges and create dialogue.”

According to Rabbi Buchdahl, Korean and Jewish cultures share several core values: family, the importance of education, pride of heritage, and surviving threats against cultural erasure. She views IERC as a “living bridge for these two ancient, modern, and enduring peoples who have now chosen to be in deeper relationship.”

Rabbi Buchdahl’s return to Korea was not only a professional trip but a deeply personal journey. “I speak frequently in the Jewish community and in Israel. But this is the first time in my life that I have addressed a Korean audience. As a hanguk saddam (member of the Three Kingdoms of Korea),” she stated in her keynote speech at IERC’s opening ceremony. “To be back in Korea for the opening of this center is a most profound homecoming for me.” It was also a family affair, with her parents, sister, and niece in attendance. Reflecting on the experience, Rabbi Buchdahl commented, “It was very meaningful to see the ways that the family my parents built could now serve as a bridge between Koreans and Jews.”

Fostering cultural, academic, and interfaith dialogue was a recurring theme of the trip. The Rabbi’s meeting with Reverend Lee Young-hoon of Yoido Full Gospel Church – the world's largest Pentecostal Christian congregation – was followed by a press event attended by over 35 media outlets. Her visit also included meetings with the Israeli Ambassador to Korea, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, and the Head of Social Affairs of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. 

A significant cultural dialogue was also taking place within Rabbi Buchdahl herself. “I am proud to carry both heritages in my blood and in my heart,” she said, referring to her dual Korean and Jewish identity, “But often I have felt I had to choose between one or the other.” 

A unique and powerful musical experience, however, brought her mixed heritage into harmony. The Israeli Ambassador asked her to collaborate with renowned Korean musicians Bora Kim and Jina Hwang, on a ‘musical dialogue’ between their cultures in honor of IERC’s opening. They decided to perform a mash-up of two well-known Korean and Israeli songs, “Arirang” and “Yerushalyaim Shel Zahav.”  Both songs have strong emotional resonance for generations of Koreans and Jews, and this performance was equally moving for Rabbi Buchdahl.

“This musical project was one of the rare times when I felt that I could integrate both cultures and create something new and beautiful,” she expressed. “When we finished the recording session, I had tears in my eyes.” As an ordained Cantor, perhaps it is fitting that music became the medium by which her two cultures flowed together as a seamless whole. “Once we started playing with the songs, back and forth, and listened to each other, it really became a dialogue,” Rabbi Buchdahl remembers. “I was reminded of the truth that music is a universal language, and we no longer needed a translator.”

In her remarks at IERC’s opening ceremony, Rabbi Buchdahl shared memories of being mocked for her mixed background as a child in both the US and Korea. “I remember coming back to my mother, crying: I don’t belong anywhere. I have no home.” Her mother responded: “Home is wherever your people are – you can make it anywhere. Take the best of both worlds and make a new home.”

While there is still much work to do in bridging differences, we are inspired by the knowledge that people of all backgrounds can now find a new home at the Israel Education Research Center at SNU. Similarly, we are grateful that Rabbi Angela Buchdahl has made Central Synagogue her home for the past 18 years and counting. As a multi-hyphenate leader – rabbi, cantor, teacher, spiritual guide, colleague, Korean, Jewish, and beyond – she has shaped a beautiful home not only for our Central community but for people around the world. 

Watch Rabbi Buchdahl's interview with Korean media outlet SBS.