Scholar in Residence Rabbi Sid Schwarz

We are pleased to welcome Rabbi Sid Schwarz to Congregation Beth El as our Scholar in Residence for Friday, February 13 & Saturday, February 14! Rabbi Sid will deliver the d’var torah on Friday evening and Saturday morning, then offer a presentation before Havdallah on Saturday night.

Schedule:

Friday, February 13:

• 6:00pm Dinner (Registration required, coming soon)
• 7:00pm Shabbat Evening Services featuring a d’var torah by Rabbi Sid

How “Community” Can Save Your Life (and maybe the country as well)
America is suffering from a spiritual “deficit”. It has been made worse by social media, ideological polarization and an erosion of key parts of the American ethos. This talk will offer a formula for turning synagogues into “communities of meaning” that can be transformational for individuals and for society.

Saturday, February 14:

• 10:30am Shabbat Morning Services featuring a d’var torah by Rabbi Sid

Judaism, Justice and Holiness
Rabbi Sid’s groundbreaking book, Judaism and Justice: The Jewish Passion to Repair the World, offers a seminal thesis about the purpose of Judaism. This d’var torah will present this novel idea.

• 4:30pm Presentation

The Theology of Rabbi Yitz Greenberg
Rabbi Yitz is an un-Orthodox, Orthodox rabbi, who is one of the seminal Jewish thinkers of the past 50 years. This session will look at excerpts from his new book, The Triumph of Life, and explore how it might serve as a guide for liberal American Jews to navigate an increasingly challenging world.

• 6:00pm Havdalah