Scholar in residence program topics on
contemporary Jewish spirituality
"I'm not religious, Rabbi, but I am spiritual": Six paths to Jewish spirituality for the institutionally suspicious, but spiritually hungry.
During this workshop, we will define spirituality then offer up six traditional spiritual paths to help searchers reconnect with Jewish religious practice.
"Why me, why anyone? Religious responses to suffering"
Examine traditional sources addressing the age old question of theodicy, "Why bad things happen to good people?"
"What happens after we die: religious views on Heaven, Hell and the hereafter."
After brainstorming what we personally believe happens after we die, I will present six classic Jewish positions from Biblical, Rabbinic and modern sources to
elucidate this ultimate question on the hereafter and its implications for our lives.
Jewish humor: laughter through pain. A serious look at the healing power of humor, or "Why is kugel called kugel?"
Using abundant humorous examples from many diffrent gendres, we will discover why Jewish uymor is not such a laughing matter!
"What in the world? Comparative religions & Judaism: Jews for Jesus, Jewfis, HindJews & BuJews."
Delve into the world of comparative world religions from a Jewish perspective and look at Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taosim and Confuscionism.
Eschatology: Ultimate Endings!
What does Judaism have to say about Moschiach (Messiah), Olam Haba (World to Come) and the Ketz (End of Times).
The remarkable thing about the End of Times is how timeless it is!
Come and learn using traditional texts from the Tanach, Talmud and other teachings.
"Finding God: intriguing concepts of Deity for the agnostic"
“Rabbi, I have to be honest, I don’t believe in God. Am I still a good Jew?”
This workshop will present a dozen different Jewish views of God and then brainstorm
how to apply these insights for those seekers.
Mystical aleph-bet of Creation
Using Hebrew calligraphy, I will let the Hebrew alphabet speak for itself to reveal inner meanings.
Especially for clergy, chaplains and other healing professionals:
"If there is a will, there is a way: Using Ethical Wills for refuah (healing)"
Legal wills bequeath valuables, ethical wills bequeath values.
An ethical will is not a legal document like a last will and testament or living will. Rather it is literary testament to one's values, morals and aspirations.
Come and learn about and start your own literary legacy to your loved ones!
”Sacred Stories of Struggle: timeless tales of our tradition addressing
death, dying and the afterlife.”
In our work with terminal, elderly or critically sick people how do we address the fears, questions and needs surrounding the deep questions of those confronting their finitude? Using narrative texts from the Torah, Talmud, Midrash and other teachings,
we will discuss the therapeutic use of stories, their delivery and integration into pastoral counseling.
"Talking the talk to help others walk the ultimate walk: tasks and rituals for the dying"
After first discussing tasks for the dying, we will look at the Jewish final confession, the viddui, both traditional and liberal ones and their therapeutic use.