International Conference on Contemporary Reform Judaism:
Sociology, Education and Theology

24-25 December 2007

In order to ensure a deeper understanding of contemporary Reform Judaism from sociological, theological, and educational perspectives, and the changes that have been taking place in these areas, The Van Leer Jerusalem Institute will be holding an
International Conference on Contemporary Reform Judaism:
Sociology, Education and Theology

Among the planned sessions will be lectures devoted to:

Renewing theology and open questions – comparative examination; the process of the return to tradition: a social inquiry; changing trends in Jewish education; the contemporary Reform Movement – an historical perspective; the place of Halakhah in Reform Judaism and methods of determining ritual; gender perceptions: examination and critique; the influence of Reform Judaism on other groups and movements; Israeli society and Reform Jews.

Among the participants are:

Dr. Ari Ackerman, Prof. Hanan Alexander, Rabbi Prof. Yehoyada Amir, Prof. Yaakov Ariel,
Prof. Sylvia Barack-Fishman, Prof. Zachary J. Braiterman,
Dr. Asher Cohen, Dr. Jonathan Cohen, Yakir Englander, Dr. Adam Ferziger,
Dr. Karla Goldman, Dr. Aviad Hacohen, Prof. Paula E. Hyman, Rabbi Dr. Michael Marmur,
Prof, Michael Meyer, Dr. Yehuda Mimran, Michal Muszkat-Barkan, Dr. Ariel Picard,
Dr.Uzi Rebhun, Rabbi Dr. Haim Rechnitzer, Prof. Jonathan Sarna, Prof. Eliezer Schweid,
Rabbi Rachel Shabbat Beit Halachmi, Prof. Ephraim Tabori, Dr. Mark E. Washofsky
Prof. Chaim I. Waxman, Prof. Jack Wertheimer, Dr. Shai Wozner, Dr. Moti Zeira

The conference will take place on 24-25 December 2007 at
The Van Leer Jerusalem Institute
43 Jabotinsky Street, Jerusalem

Please note the date in your calendars.
A detailed program will follow shortly.

Additional information may be obtained at:

dafnas@vanleer.org.il; www.vanleer.org.il

tel: 972-2-5605231/51 Fax: 972-2-5619293

Sincerely,

Rabbi Naftali Rothenberg, PhD Dafna Schreiber Dr. Avinoam Rosenak
Chair, Jewish Culture and Identity Director Chair, Academic Committee