Named multiple times to Newsweek’s list of the 50 most influential rabbis in America, theologian, scholar and educator, Rabbi Shai Held is a highly engaging speaker, who currently serves as President, Dean and Chair in Jewish Thought at Mechon Hadar, a Jewish egalitarian center for study, practice and community building in New York City. A 2011 recipient of the prestigious Covenant Award for excellence in Jewish education, Rabbi Held holds a doctorate in religion from Harvard and also served as Director of Education at Harvard Hillel. His book, Abraham Joshua Heschel: the Call of Transcendence was published in 2011 and The Heart of Torah, a collection of essays on the Torah in two volumes was published in 2017.
The schedule is:
• Friday, Nov 30 (about 7:30, following dinner): Compassion and the Heart of Jewish Spirituality
• Saturday, Dec 1:
o During morning services: How Prayer Impacts Us as Human beings- The Views of Two Prominent 20th Century Thinkers Rabbis Heschel and Soloveitchik.
o Following Kiddush: “King David and Bat Sheva – the Meaning Behind the Story.
Friday evening services, 6 p.m. Dinner at 7 pm with reservations – RSVP by Tuesday, Nov. 27 to synagogue@shaareitikvah.org
Dinner is $20/adult