Teaching
Do you have a synagogue, a church, a chavurah, or a desire for personal study? I can help with topics ranging from Torah and prayer to religion in archaeology to Kabbalah and the science of the creation of the universe. I'll be happy to work with you to create an exciting program for you and/or your group.
I provide educational programs and presentations. Some primary topics are diversity in Jewish tradition, alternative ways to understand the Bible and the prayer book, Torah study, and how we can explore and develop our understanding of God. These can be addressed to people of all beliefs-from traditional Jews to people who declare that they do not believe in God.
Sample Lectures
WHEN GOD FIRST SPOKE
Science and archaeology trace a story of the emergence of homo sapiens as a creature with an awareness of a transcendent presence. From ancient burials to prehistoric temples to modern neuroscience, we can trace the evolution of the human connection with the transcendent. A religious awareness, a sense of the transcendent, is intimately tied with being homo sapiens.
THE BOOK OF JOB
This dramatic story shows two very different ways to believe in God. Is it a dramatic portrayal of the power of a benevolent God? Or does it argue that God is the strength of the universe, without any notion of benevolence or personal involvement with mankind. We’ll look at some of the challenges in understanding ancient texts, and how we find our meaning.
Spirituality for the non-believer
What is spirituality? Does it require that one believe in a God which is supernatural, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, and benevolent? This talk will introduce spirituality based in the awe, beauty and wonder of the real world, and on the measurable effects of meditation. We’ll see how spirituality and religion can coexist with science and rationality.
Jews in Jail (with Chaplain Linda Seidman)
Yes, there are Jews in jail. We’ll discuss the experiences of Jews who have been incarcerated as they search to understand themselves and Judaism, and thereby to find repentance and to build the spiritual strength to reenter the world and the Jewish community as healthy, free individuals.
Weekend Programs
Diversity in Jewish Tradition and practice
This weekend program integrates services with a series of lectures. The services feature comments on the siddur to show where the text reflects alternate viewpoints, and allows multiple interpretations. This will be paralleled by lectures looking at some of the key eras in the last three thousand years and how they reflect diversity in Jewish thought and practice.
god talk - what do you really believe?
This program provides a safe and comfortable environment to explore ones beliefs about God and how to practice Judaism. It features exploration of the prayers in the service, talks about the range of alternatives to key ideas in Jewish tradition, and discussions and workshops to help clarify ideas. The goal is to end with a clearer belief in God, consistent with each person’s experiences and rational thought processes.
When God First Spoke
We’ll review science, from creation to evolution, and a wide range of archeological findings from throughout the world to see the evidence of a transcendent power.
Commentary & Debate
I am eager to bring my unique point of view as a Rabbi and experienced Ph. D. engineer and rational manager to the issues involving religion today. I can offer commentary, clarification, and debate on topics such as:
- Is religion compatible with science?
- What is faith and is it important?
- How can we defend religion vs. atheism and anti-theism?
- Diversity versus Orthodoxy in Religion.
- The case for a transcendent presence in the universe.