Public Lectures and Events

Where Interesting Conversations Happen

Each year, The Jewish Theological Seminary’s public lectures and conferences feature engaging personalities who tackle modern issues as viewed through a Jewish lens. These events, open to the community at large, provide a forum where scholars, writers, and community leaders can explore the vital topics that affect our lives.

Unless otherwise indicated, admission is free, but reservations are required. RSVP information can be found below.

Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to each program.
Have photo ID available.
All events are held at JTS, unless otherwise noted.

Join our mailing list by sending your name and mailing address to publicevents@jtsa.edu or calling (212) 280-6093.

Upcoming Events

Dates and Times

Event

Details

Thursday,
Jan. 26, 2012

7:30 p.m.

Associate Justice Stephen G. Breyer:

"Making Our Democracy Work"
Read more about
this event

Thursday, January 26, 2012, 7:30 p.m.
The Bernard G. Segal Memorial Lecture

"Making Our Democracy Work"

Speaker: Stephen G. Breyer, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States

Why does the public accept the Court's decisions as legitimate and follow them, even when those decisions may be highly unpopular? What must the Court do to maintain the public's faith? How do American courts help make our democracy work?

RSVP online at www.jtsa.edu/democracy or by calling (212) 280-6093.

Attorneys, please note: THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE NEW YORK STATE CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION (CLE) BOARD FOR ONE (1) CREDIT HOUR IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE. The course is appropriate for both newly admitted and experienced attorneys.

For additional events, please visit the web pages of the Louis Finkelstein Institute for Religious and Social Studies and The Library of the Jewish Theological Seminary.

Select Past Events

View a comprehensive list of podcasted past events.

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Dates	Event Information	Podcast
November 30, 2011	The Jack and Lewis Rudin Lecture: "Religion and the Media" Watch this lecture on YouTube. Religion increasingly affects world events. But do the media (print, television, online) truly understand each of the religions they cover? Is current religion coverage adequate to the task? Are there better ways for the media to address religion and religious issues? Panelists: Juju Chang, Emmy Award-winning Correspondent for ABC News's Nightline Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, Senior Religion Editor, The Huffington Post Brent Staples, Editorial Board Member, The New York Times Moderator: Nicholas Lemann, Dean and Henry R. Luce Professor of Journalism, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism	Video podcast coming soon (Watch now on YouTube)
September 14, 2011	In Washington DC The Abraham and Minnie Kay Memorial Lecture: "God Bless America: Religion and Politics in the United States Today" Watch this lecture on YouTube. Religion is much in the news. As America marks the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, and gears up for a presidential election now only one year away, we cannot help but question the actual and proper role of religion in our culture, society, and country. Join two experts on the subject-acclaimed journalist and author E. J. Dionne Jr. and JTS Chancellor Arnold M. Eisen, a leading scholar of American Judaism, for a frank, probing, and wide-ranging discussion of several of the most controversial issues on the American public agenda today.	Video podcast coming soon (Watch now on YouTube)
April 12, 2011	The Jack and Lewis Rudin Lecture: "The State of Catholic-Jewish Relations in the United States" Looking to promote a dialogue of mutuality rather than a revisiting of past grievances, The Most Reverend Timothy M. Dolan, archbishop of New York, and president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, will propose a new approach to Catholic-Jewish exchange that draws its principles from a common biblical heritage to face problems shared by both communities in the modern world. Followed by a dialogue between Archbishop Dolan and JTS Chancellor Arnold M. Eisen.	View the video podcast
February 17, 2011	The Henry N. Rapaport Memorial Lecture: *"The Sabbath World: Glimpses of a Different Order of Time"* Acclaimed author and cultural critic Judith Shulevitz will discuss her recent book "The Sabbath World: Glimpses of a Different Order of Time" Ms. Shulevitz will be joined in dialogue by Rabbi Shai Held, cofounder, rosh yeshiva, and chair in Jewish Thought, Mechon Hadar.	View the video podcast
October 25, 2010	"Judaism and Islam in America Today: Assimilation and Authenticity" A roundtable discussion on the shared challenges faced by Jews and Muslims in the United States, focusing on the delicate balance between assimilation into a predominantly secular and Christian society and the desire to retain religious and cultural authenticity. Panelists: Chancellor Arnold M. Eisen, The Jewish Theological Seminary Professor Sherman Jackson, University of Michigan President Serene Jones, Union Theological Seminary Moderator: Professor Ingrid Mattson, Hartford Seminary; president, Islamic Society of North America	View the video podcast
October 6, 2010	"A Playwright Reflects: Dramatizing Pivotal Moments in Jewish History" A lecture by renowned Israeli playwright Joshua Sobol.	View the video podcast.
April 27, 2010	*"Empowered Judaism: What Independent Minyanim Can Teach Us about Building Vibrant Jewish Communities"* A Conversation with Rabbi Elie Kaunfer, Rabbi Ayelet S. Cohen and Professor Steven M. Cohen on the Publication of Elie Kaunfer's New Book of the Same Name.	View the video podcast.
June 30, 2010	The Bernard G. Segal Memorial Lecture in Law and Ethics "The Promise and Perils of Subsidizing the Press: Legal and Policy Issues" David M. Schizer, Dean and the Lucy G. Moses Professor of Law, Columbia Law School	View the video podcast.

Public Programs at JTS

Professor Arnold M. Eisen delivers the Jack and Lewis Rudin Lecture.

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