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The Rabbi Samuel Chiel Genesis Forum

Brilliant Minds, Changing Times:
Jewish Encounters with Modernity

A free noontime series of text study
All sessions held Wednesdays, 12:00 to 1:15 p.m.
CJP, 126 High Street, 9th Floor, Boston

Bring your lunch and join us as we explore the brilliant minds of fourteen men and women who each helped Judaism negotiate modernity. Some prayed fervently and loved God absolutely; others argued and questioned fiercely. Some wrote prolifically, others left a living legacy of memorable example. Together, they fought for radical change and to preserve tradition, and for a Judaism based on faith, piety, politics and culture. Through it all, rationalist and Enlightenment ideas clashed and entwined with ancient traditions and mystical legends of Kabbalah and Hasidism. Come discuss the stirring contributions these personalities made to Jewish thought.

Click here to read about the Genesis Forum faculty.

This event is free and open to the public, and you are welcome to attend any or all sessions. Preregistration is required here. (You only need to register once and it covers all sessions.)

For more information or special accommodations, please contact adultlearning@cjp.org or call 617-457-8789.

Miss a week? Click here to view handouts, or to download select Genesis Forum podcasts!

2012-2013 Schedule of Topics and Instructors

10/17/12

INNOVATING IN LAW: Joseph Caro (1488–1575)
Author of Shulchan Arukh, a text that becomes the authoritative code of Jewish law
Rabbi Benjamin Samuels

10/31/12 - CANCELLED

CHANNELING MESSIANIC INSANITY: Shabbatai Tsevi (1626–1676)
Kabbalist and eventual apostate proclaimed as the messiah by a majority of world Jewry
Jason Gaines

11/14/12

ESTABLISHING NEW APPROACHES TO PIETY: Israel Ba'al Shem Tov (c. 1700-1760)
Founder of Hasidism, a legendary teacher and miracle worker
Rabbi Benjamin Samuels

11/28/12 ENRICHING CULTURE: Salamone de’ Rossi (c. 1570 – 1630)
Violinist and composer of popular and Jewish liturgical music in Renaissance Italy
Maestro Matthew Lazar
12/12/12 PONDERING GOD AND RELIGION: Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677)
Rationalist philosopher and precursor of modern biblical criticism, excommunicated as a heretic
Rabbi Benjamin Samuels
1/9/13 HELPING OTHERS: Glückel of Hamlen (1646-1724)
Woman Yiddish memoirist who chronicled daily life in the Jewish ghetto
Professor Jenny Sartori
1/23/13 HARNESSING EMOTIONAL INTENSITY: Nahman of Bratslav (1772–1810)
Rebbe who combined Torah study with Kabbalah, bringing intense joy to religious practice
Rabbi Dr. Ariel Burger
2/6/13 MASTERING TRADITION: The Vilna Gaon, Elijah ben Solomon Zalman (1720-1797)
Genius of Talmud and Kabbalah, Lithuanian opponent of Hasidism
Rabbi Dr. David B. Starr
2/13/13 EXPLORING MYSTICISM: Isaac Luria (1534–1572)
Kabbalist, psychic, poet and mystical innovator in Safed, a spiritual center of Jewish mysticism
Rabbi Dr. Meir Sendor
3/6/13 WOMEN LEADERS IN HASIDISM: The Maid of Ludmir, Hannah Rochel Werbermacher (1806-1888)
The only woman rebbe in the history of Hasidism
Rabbi Dr. Nehemia Polen
3/20/13 PROMOTING TOLERANCE AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Moses Mendelssohn (1729-1786) & Solomon Maimon (1753-1800)
“Jewish Enlightenment” leaders, advocating secular engagement and Jewish emancipation
Professor Eugene R. Sheppard
4/3/13 RETURNING HOME
Theodor Herzl (1860-1904)
Father of political Zionism, and of the State of Israel
Ahad Ha-Am: Asher Hirsch Ginsberg (1856–1927)
Father of cultural Zionism, who valued Jewish history, language and a national heritage
Rabbi Dr. David B. Starr
4/17/13 SIYYUM: The Rise of Modern Denominations
Rabbi Benjamin Samuels, Rabbi Dr. Meir Sendor & Rabbi Rachel Saphire

In case of inclement weather, please call 617-457-8888 or visit cjp.org for event updates.

CJP welcomes the participation of interfaith couples and families, and people of all abilities, backgrounds and sexual orientations.