Past Programs:

Special Torah Study with Rabbi Edward Rettig

Saturday, February 18, 2006

Rabbi Edward Rettig joined our Torah Study group to discuss the Torah portion Yitro and talk about the current state of affairs in Israel. Rabbi Rettig serves as Associate Director of the American Jewish Committee's Israel office in Jerusalem. He was previously a congregational rabbi in Florida and Wisconsin, an attorney with the Israeli Police Department, a veteran of the Israeli Defense Fund and a manager of a kibbutz date orchard.

"American Judaism: Old Faith in the New World" with Professor Jonathan Sarna

Tuesday, October 5, 2004
7:00 pm

One of American's foremost commentators on American Jewish history, religion and life, Dr. Sarna is the author of the acclaimed new book, American Judaism: A History. The first comprehensive history of American Judaism in over 50 years, this book is a celebration of 350 years of Jewish life in America. Dr. Sarna considers American Judaism as a religious phenomenon and places it in the context not only of Jewish history but also of American religious history. He told the story of the cycles of Jewish life in a new land, one of assimilation and revitalization, of faith lost and regained.

"Strangers in a Strange Land: Jewish Responses to Issues of Immigration" with Jerry Biederman and Rabbi Cohen

Tuesday, May 11, 2004
7:00 pm

Jerry Biederman, chair of the AJC's Civil Rights Committee of the Domestic Policy Commission and managing partner of the law firm of Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP, addressed the issue of immigration. In his role with the AJC, Mr. Biederman oversaw a comprehensive review of the commission's historical view on immmigration and the formulation of new positions on such issues as temporary work visas, amnesty for undocumented immigrants and the admission and screening of immigrants and visitors in light of post-911 security concerns. Rabbi Cohen discussed the Jewish laws and traditions related to immigration.

"Separation of Church and State: Implications for Jews and America" with Rep. Jan. Schakowsky

Thursday, April 15, 2004
7:00 pm

Jan Schakowsky, U.S. Representative from Illinois' 9th Congressional District, spoke on church/state separation in the second of a three-part public policy forum offered by the American Jewish Committee and Temple Jeremiah. Her talk covered such issues as faith-based funding, the use of executive orders by President Bush to accomplish change and recent court decisions in the arena of church and state. A citizen advocate, grassroots organizer and elected public official, Schakowsky has won major legislative victories to increase federal assistance for abused women and children, reform election laws, expand housing opportunities for low-income citizens, safeguard consumer rights and ensure quality health care for seniors. Schakowsky is also an active member of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus and a champion of expanding the nation's hate crime laws.

"Passionate Questions about Mel Gibson's Film: The Passion of the Christ" with Jonathan Schwartz

Thursday, February 19, 2004
7:30 pm

Temple Jeremiah and the American Jewish Committee hosted a program on Mel Gibson's controversial new film, "The Passion of the Christ". Jonathan Schwartz, Assistant Director of the American Jewish Committee Chicago Chapter, who previewed the movie before its official debut, led the discussion on "The Passion," which focused on the last twelve hours of the life of Jesus. The film was charged with portraying Jews in a derogatory light and contradicting official and scholarly contemporary readings of the Gospel. Many religious leaders, Jewish and Christian, feared the film would lead to an upsurge of anti-Semitism not only in the U.S. but around the globe and undermine the great ecumenical and interreligious strides by Catholic and Protestant leaders.

How do Jews deal with the negative message of the film and still support our basic American right to freedom of expression? For further information, log onto the American Jewish Committee's web site at www.ajc.org.

These programs are funded by a grant from the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and the Community Foundation for Jewish Education of Metropolitan Chicago.