Beth Israel Congregation of Jackson, the Religious Studies Department of Millsaps College, and the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life are proud to co-sponsor a night of learning with renowned author, teacher, and Jewish mysticism (Kabbalah) scholar, Rabbi Lawrence Kushner. He will speak in the Millsaps College Academic Complex Recital Hall on Sunday, March 9, 2008, at 7 p.m.
Rabbi Kushner is nationally known as “one of the most creative religious writers in America.” He is a regular contributor to major media such as National Public Radio's All Things Considered, The New York Times and People magazine. He is the Emanu-El Scholar at Congregation Emanu-El of San Francisco. Prior to this he served as Rabbi-in-Residence at Hebrew Union College in New York City where he taught spirituality and mysticism and mentored rabbinic students; he continues as an adjunct faculty member. Before that, he served for 28 years as the rabbi of Congregation Beth El in Sudbury, Massachusetts.
Through his lectures, articles and 16 books, he has helped shape the present agenda for personal and institutional spiritual renewal. He originated the concept of synagogue havurot, family fellowship groups; he led his former congregants to publish their own prayerbook, V’tahaer Libenu (Purify Our Hearts), which was the first gender-neutral liturgy ever written; and he has conducted over 75 weekends for personal religious growth. His books include: Kabbalah: A Love Story; Jewish Spirituality: A Brief Introduction for Christians; God Was In This Place and I, i Did Not Know; and Honey from the Rock: Visions of Jewish Mystical Renewal.
Rabbi Kushner will be in Jackson one night only, following a weekend as scholar-in-residence at in Meridian, Mississippi. The Episcopal Church of the Mediator and Meridian’s Congregation Beth Israel are co-hosting Rabbi Kushner there for the Seeds of Faith Conference March 7-9.
The mission of the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life is to preserve and document the practice, culture and legacy of Judaism in the South. The Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience operates under the auspices of the Institute. For more information about this program or any other ISJL offerings, visit www.isjl.org or call 601.362.6357.
