Leil Iyun Workshops

Saturday Evening, January 13

Session 1 8:00-8:50

1A.  What Judaism Can Teach America.

Rabbi Douglas Sagal, Temple Emanu-El

1B. Kiddush Hashem (sanctifying G-d’s name) - How Jews Should be a Shining Example Not Only Among Other Jews But Within the Entrepreneurial Community at Large.

Rabbi Mordechai Kanelsky, Bris Avrohom

1C. The “Peoplehood” Perplex: What’s Jewish About Tikkun Olam (repairing the world)?  

Andrew Silow-Carroll, Editor-in-Chief, New Jersey Jewish News.

1D. Genocide in the Sudan: A Call to Action.

Rabbi Richard Jacobs, American Jewish World Service

Rabbi Jacobs is the Senior Rabbi of Westchester Temple in Scarsdale and will share his experiences on his recent visit to Darfur, Sudan. 

1E.  Explorations in Jewish Civil Law.

Understanding the legal and mystical principles in Jewish law. 

Rabbi Avrohm Blesofsky, Chabad of Union County

1F. My Son/Daughter, the Civil War Hero.

The Contributions of American Jews during the Civil War period.

Susie Meyersdorf, Cong. Beth Israel

1G.  State of Israel, Light to the Nations?

Rabbi Elazar M. Teitz, Jewish Educational Center

1H. The Land of Israel: Its Commandments, Its Nature and Everything In Between.

Yaniv Tayar, Federation’s Israel Emissary – Funded by the Herb Seidel 21^st Century Fund.

1I.  A Light Unto the Nations: The Legacy of Abraham Joshua Heschel.

Rabbi George Nudell, Congregation Beth Israel

1J. Being and Or L’Goyim Through Social Action.

A discussion of how we as individuals and as a community can be a light unto the nations through our participation in social action programs. 

Rabbi Akiba Lubow, Temple Beth-El Mekor Chayim

1K.  “Bringing Chicago Hope to a Grey’s Anatomy.”

The connection between prayer and health. 

Rabbi Jonathan Schwartz, Congregation Adath Israel

Session 2  9:00-9:50

2A. A Beacon of Light In a World of Darkness.

The means by which a Jew illuminates the world.

Rabbi Avrohom Herman, Elmora Avenue Synagogue

2B.  The Seven Laws of Noach-Our Obligation to the Nations.

Rabbi Levi Block, Union County Torah Center

2C. Genocide in the Sudan: A Call to Action.

Rabbi Richard Jacobs, American Jewish World Service.

Rabbi Jacobs is the Senior Rabbi of Westchester Temple in Scarsdale and will share his experiences on his recent visit to Darfur, Sudan. 

2D. The contributions of notable Jews During the 1600's-1700's in Europe.

Rabbi Mitchell J. Bomrind, Rabbi Teitz Mesivta Academy; Adjunct Professor, Kean University

2E. A Light unto the Nations AND Ourselves: Models of Jewish Community Leadership on the College Campus.

Andrew Getraer, Executive Director, Rutgers Hillel.

2F. Or Bagoyim - A Light Among the Nations.

An explication and illustration of the Reform movement's understanding of where Jews live in and for the greater world around us - the textual and historical basis of our relationships with those who are not Jewish - whether in our congregations or in partnership with our prophetic mission of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world).

Rabbi Joel Abraham, Temple Sholom

2G. Becoming a Congregation of Learners: The Role of Jewish Education in the Community.

Michelle Shapiro Abraham, RJE, Director of Education, Temple Sholom

2H. It’s Our Torah But Is It Only For Us?

Rabbi Mendy Herson, Chabad Jewish Center of Basking Ridge

2I. “Where There is Life, There is Life.”

The life affirming principles – euthanasia, right to die, martyrdom, stem cell and transplantation will be explored.

Rabbi Samuel Rosenberg, Elmora Hebrew Center

2J. The Land of Israel: Its Commandments, Its Nature and Everything In Between.

Yaniv Tayar, Federation’s Israel Emissary – Funded by the Herb Seidel 21^st Century Fund.