In order to ensure a deeper understanding of contemporary Conservative Judaism from theological, cultural, sociological and educational perspectives, and the changes that have been taking place in these areas, The Van Leer Jerusalem Institute initiated (in 2007) the establishment of a study group on Conservative Judaism. The fruits of the intellectual labors of this group, alongside new studies by other prominent scholars from Israel and abroad, will be presented at the

Conservative Judaism: Halakhah, Culture and Sociology
International Conference at The Van Leer Jerusalem Institute, 43 Jabotinsky Street, Jerusalem
December, 29th-30th, 2009

Among the planned sessions will be lectures devoted to:

  • Conservative Judaism’s Historical Sources and the Continuity between the Past and the Present;
  • The Conservative Movement and its Links with other Streams in the Jewish World;
  • The Conservative Congregation, Community Boundaries and Assimilation;
  • Gender and the Polemics on Homosexuality; Women’s Ordination and its Ramifications;
  • Educational Ideologies in Conservative Judaism;
  • Halakhic Decision-Making: A Philosophical and Critical Examination;
  • Halakhah, Limits of Openness and the Future of Conservative Judaism;
  • The relationship between the movement’s centers in USA, Latin America and Israel;
  • and more.

Among the participants are:
Dr. Ari Ackerman, Prof. Hanan Alexander, Rabbi Prof. Yehoyada Amir, Prof. Yaakov Ariel, Prof. Sylvia Barack-Fishman, Deby Babis, Dr. Hanoch Ben-Pazi, Dr. Meir Buzaglo, Prof. Steven Cohen, Dr. Kobi Cohen-Hatav, Prof. Arnold Eisen, Yakir Englander,
Dr. Adam Ferziger, Rabbi Prof. David Golinkin, Dr. Rachel Gordin, Dr. Aviad Hacohen, Prof. Lawrence Kaplan, Prof. Eli Lederhendler, Prof. Israel Levine, Prof. Michael Meyer, Prof. Guy Miron, Prof. Gabriel Motzkin, Dr. Michal Muszkat-Barkan, Dr. Ariel Pickard, Rabbi Dr. Einat Ramon, Rabbi Dr. Avram Reisner, Dr. Avinoam Rosnak (chair), Rabbi Prof. Joel Roth, Rabbi Prof. Naftali Rothenberg, Prof. Jonathan Sarna, Prof. Eliezer Schweid, Avraham Slater, Dr. Ilana Stockman

Please note the dates in your calendars.
A detailed program will follow shortly.
Additional information may be obtained at:
shirak@vanleer.org.il; www.vanleer.org.il tel. 972-2-5605231/51   Fax: 972-2-5619293