December 9 and 10, January 28 and 29.
How have Jewish Heretics Transformed our Beliefs and Practices?
When Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan published his new Reconstructionist Siddur in 1945, his book was publicly burned and he was branded a heretic by the ultra-Orthodox Agudat Israel. Since that time, many of Kaplan’s Reconstructionist ideas have become part of the mainstream of North American Jewry and beyond. Kaplan was not the first “heretic” whose challenge to Jewish tradition has led us in new directions, often contributing to the vitality of Jewish life. This year, the Dorshei-Emet mini-series is devoted to exploring the history of heresy in Judaism and what can we learn from it for today.
The mini series is ongoing throughout the year, here are some upcoming lectures…
With Professor Carlos Fraenkel, McGill University
Friday, December 9: The Classical Case of Maimonides: Heretic or Intellectual Hero? (Friday Night Shabbat services at 6:00pm followed by potluck dinner and lecture)
Saturday, December 10: Can Religious Beliefs be Enforced by Law?
With Professor Allan Nadler, Drew University
On Heresy and False Messianism in the 17th Century and in our times.
Friday, January 28: Biblical & Talmudic Criticism as Heresy: The Cases of Uriel Da Costa, Baruch Spinoza and Rabbi Louis Jacobs ( Friday Night Shabbat services at 6:00pm followed by potluck dinner and lecture)
Saturday, January 29: Is it Heretical to Believe the Messiah has Arrived? From Sabbateans to 21st Century ‘Messianic Jews’.
Congregation Dorshei-Emet, 18 Cleve Road, Hampstead
Phone: 514-486-9400, Email: info@dorshei-emet.org
