Community Heritage Lectures Archive

December 16, 2008
7:30 to 9 pm
Douglas Johnston, International Center for Religion and Diplomacy
Faith-Based Diplomacy:  Bridging the Religious Divide
The most serious threat confronting the world today is the potential marriage of religious extremism with weapons of mass destruction. Dr. Johnston will discuss how the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy serves as a bridge between religion and politics in preventing and resolving conflicts in various parts of the world.

The Washington DC JCC
1529 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC

September 4, 2008, 7:30 pm
Prof. Asher Maoz, Tel Aviv University.
The Imprint of Jewish Law on American and Other Legal Systems
Professor Maoz will analyze the tenets of Jewish law and examine its influence on past and present legal systems.

Judaism gained its fame for spreading the message of monotheism around the globe. Yet, Judaism is not merely a religion. It is also a comprehensive legal system. Indeed, Judaism has been regarded 'a religion of the law.’  Jewish law has influenced, directly and indirectly, various legal systems and is regarded as one of the major legal systems. Jewish law is unique in basing its norms on duties rather than rights, yet ironically by doing so advances the concept of rights.

Asher Maoz is a professor of law at Tel Aviv University with research interest in Constitutional Law, State and Religion, human rights, family law and succession.

cosponsored and paid for by The Institute of Law, Philosophy and Culture at the Catholic University of America’s Law School

The Foundation for Jewish Studies, Washington Hebrew Congregation, and Temple Sinai present:

THE JEWISH STATE AFTER 60 YEARS: ITS IMPACT ON OUR PEOPLE WORLDWIDE

April 15, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Washington Hebrew Congregation
3935 Macomb Street, NW (at Massachusetts Avenue)
Washington,DC 20016

with Rabbi Richard G. Hirsch

When Theodore Herzl declared in 1897 that some day there would be a Jewish State, people laughed. Fifty years later, in November 1947, that prophecy came true and the State of Israel was born.

Much has happened in the intervening years and Rabbi Richard Hirsch will be discussing the impact of the creation of Israel on the Jewish people and the world.

Rabbi Hirsch is the Chairman of the Zionist General Council, a past President of the World Zionist Congress, and is considered the best known Zionist spokesman in the Reform movement. For a number of years he was the Founding Director of the Religious Action Center in Washington, where most of our nations civil rights legislation was drafted. Rabbi Hirsch was friend and supporter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

After Rabbi Hirschs presentation there will be an oneg and an opportunity to speak informally with him.

This program is sponsored by The Amram Scholar Series and is dedicated to the memory of Frank Schick.

Co-sponsored by The Foundation for Jewish Studies, Washington Hebrew Congregation, Temple Sinai and Ohr Kodesh Congregation