 KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Are Joy and Satisfaction Goals of ‘The Good Life’ in Judaism?
Dr. David Kraemer
Jewish historical experience has led to the evaluation that “it’s hard to be a Jew.” In fact, Jewish rituals require that we remember and mourn (things like the destruction of the Temple and the Holocaust). And Judaism, with all of its commandments, requirements, and restrictions, has been seen by some as pretty joyless. In light of these observations, we will seek to respond to several challenging questions: Does Judaism care about happiness or satisfaction at all? How does Judaism understand “joy” or “satisfaction” and how is it achieved? And perhaps most importantly, is it a betrayal for a Jew to put aside the centrality of memories of catastrophe and instead devote him/herself to joy? STUDY SESSIONS
Mysticism & the Moral Life
Dr. Eitan Fishbane What is the relationship between spiritual practice and the quest for moral goodness? To what extent has the Jewish mystical tradition been concerned with the cultivation of virtue? Through classic texts from the kabbalistic tradition we will explore key values such as forgiveness, hospitality, compassion, and the restraint of anger, seeking to understand mystical conceptions of the good life — a life lived in pursuit of justice, in the image of God.
Anticipating Death and Finding Satisfaction in Life: The Profound Wisdom of Kohelet
Dr. David Kraemer Wise people will have different views about what constitutes “the Good Life.” But no one researched this question more completely than the biblical author, Kohelet (Ecclesiastes). In this session we review his report on his research of Ecclesiastes ch. 2 and evaluate his conclusions concerning what truly makes a life “well-lived.”
"Happy are you, O Israel!" Biblical Roots of the Jewish Notion of Happiness
Rabbi Jan Uhrbach
Moses' final speech concludes with a declaration of the happiness of being a Jew: "Ashreikha Yisrael, Happy are you, O Israel!" But has anyone in the Torah been described as happy? Who, when and why? While "the pursuit of happiness" is one of the founding ideals of American culture, the Torah is remarkably sparse in its references to anyone's happiness. What is the Jewish understanding and role of happiness, as expressed in the Torah and its interpretation? Is the American ideal of happiness a Jewish concept at all?
Gifts of Wisdom: The Historical Traditions and Values of the ‘Ethical Will’
Dr. Stefanie Siegmund
Spurred by our age, or encounter with serious illness, the loss of loved ones, or simply because we have brought children into our lives -- at these moments when we are thinking about death we go to lawyers to write or revise our wills. The writing of the will is an opportunity to think deeply about what we value while we plan to distribute our estates to the people, organizations, and causes that we care about. What if you also tried to write a letter that would be read at your funeral, or by your descendants, about your values? What would you say? How does Judaism inform these values? In this session we will study testaments left by a medieval Jewish man and a late Renaissance (early modern) Jewish woman, to explore their values and their gifts, and to begin to think about reclaiming a tradition.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
9:30 – 9:45 am Registration and Breakfast
9:45 – 10:00 am Welcome Remarks
10:00 – 11:00 am Keynote Presentation
Dr. David Kraemer
11:15 am – 12:15 pm Study Session I
12:15 – 1:00 pm Lunch
1:00 – 2:00 pm Study Session II
2:15 – 2:30 pm Mincha
2:30 – 3:30 pm Closing Panel Discussion
Moderated by Dr. David Kraemer |