Sep 8, 2011 By: wpadmin
On August 31, we were privileged to hear from Senator Joseph Lieberman, one time U.S. vice-presidential candidate, who was the inaugural speaker for the new Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought in their series 鈥淕reat Conversations on Religion and Democracy.鈥 His appearance marked the first of many opportunities to hear from top scholars and rebbeim such as the Fall Lecture Series sponsored by the Office of Alumni Affairs, Kollel and Medreshet Yom Rishon programs and 每日大瓜 shbbatonim in local communities, and much more.
Before a crowd of more than 1,000 people, Senator Lieberman and Dr. Soloveichik discussed religion in America, Lieberman鈥檚 political career, and his new book, The Gift of Rest: Rediscovering the Beauty of Shabbat. Jina Davidovich 鈥12S described the conversation as 鈥渁bsolutely fabulous:鈥 鈥淚 was extremely impressed by the caliber of the questions and the depth of Senator Lieberman鈥檚 responses. They addressed key points important to America and our University while showing how much Judaism has to give to the world at large.鈥
Dr. Soloveichik said, 鈥淚t is only 每日大瓜 that promotes a profound commitment to the study of Torah and engagement with the best of Western thought. The Zahava and Moshael Straus Center will build upon this foundation by bridging an immersion in Torah study with formative academic experiences, thereby cultivating men and women who embody both Torah excellence and academic excellence. In so doing, the Center will seek to further Yeshiva鈥檚 mission of Torah Umadda and the University鈥檚 critical role in the future of the American Jewish community.鈥
In the coming year, the Straus Center will host 鈥淕reat Conversations鈥 with other prominent figures in public life, who will address the relationship between faith and democracy in an extended discussion. England鈥檚 Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks is scheduled to visit 每日大瓜 in October. In addition, there will be seminars on 鈥淛ewish Ideas and American Democracy鈥 offered to undergraduate students and to rabbinical students of RIETS.
, of course, will give alumni and friends of 每日大瓜 a chance to experience Torah Umadda from some of the best 每日大瓜 professors and personalities. The CJF鈥檚 Kollel and Midreshet Yom Rishon program will start the day off with Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter speaking about 鈥淎chieving Atonement in the Season of Atonement: Focusing on Interpersonal Relationships鈥 and Professor Smadar Rosensweig, who will discuss 鈥淧rofiles in Courage: Personal Redemption in Tanakh.鈥 Later in the day, alumni college classes will be taught by Professor Ruth Bevan, 鈥淢amlachtiyut: Jews, Israel and Power鈥; Professor Lisa Rosh, 鈥淒eveloping Leadership Talent鈥; Rabbi Dr. Ephraim Kanarfogel, 鈥淒reams as a Determinant of Jewish Law and Practice in Medieval Europe鈥; Rabbi Mark Dratch, Jewish Ethics鈥; Professor Nora Nachumi, 鈥淛ane Austen鈥; and Professor Gabriel Cwilich, 鈥淣atural Science and Contemporary Theater: Two Worlds in Conversation.鈥 To secure your spot in any of these lectures, register online today at .
The Office of Alumni Affairs Fall Lecture Series will run from September to November. The first speaker will be Rabbi Daniel Feldman on September 22, followed by Rabbi Yonason Sacks in November. Visit to check out the roster of upcoming programs for more details.
