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Judaism Confronting Science
Mar 21 @ 2:00 pm - 3:15 pm
Dr. Phil Cohen. Dr. Jonathan Crane, Geoffery Mitelman
For centuries Judaism understood science to be a partner. Jewish thinkers did not see a contradiction between science and Torah. It is Norbert Samuelson’s contention in his book Jewish Faith and Modern Science that, for various historical and philosophical reasons, that synthesis has been left behind. He further argues that Jews need to reconceive that synthesis for the future. In this session three Reform rabbis will discuss Samuelson’s thesis. Their discussion will come from Samuelson’s book, as well as from the work they did in their contributions to the recently published edition of the CCAR Journal (Winter 2012), devoted to the topic of Judaism and science. This session will provide participants with the opportunity to engage in this important intellectual and spiritual issue. Are the demands of science so important as to threaten the integrity of the Jewish tradition if an acceptable intellectual approach is not found?
For centuries Judaism understood science to be a partner. Jewish thinkers did not see a contradiction between science and Torah. It is Norbert Samuelson’s contention in his book Jewish Faith and Modern Science that, for various historical and philosophical reasons, that synthesis has been left behind. He further argues that Jews need to reconceive that synthesis for the future. In this session three Reform rabbis will discuss Samuelson’s thesis. Their discussion will come from Samuelson’s book, as well as from the work they did in their contributions to the recently published edition of the CCAR Journal (Winter 2012), devoted to the topic of Judaism and science. This session will provide participants with the opportunity to engage in this important intellectual and spiritual issue. Are the demands of science so important as to threaten the integrity of the Jewish tradition if an acceptable intellectual approach is not found?