Scholar-In-Residence Weekend

Sat Oct 12 and Sun Oct 13
A dynamic rabbinic couple, Rabbis Firestone and Sohn recently return from Berlin, where they spent an amazing year learning about this burgeoning Jewish community. One of the foremost scholars on Judaism and Muslim relations, Firestone spent a Sabbatical with his family in Cairo shortly before the Arab Spring. Firestone is professor of medieval Judaism and Islam at Hebrew Union College and founder and co-director of the Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement (http://www.usc.edu/cmje) and has authored more than eighty scholarly articles and essays and seven books.
Sohn has written an exceptional account of her and her family’s experiences living in Egypt. In Crossing Cairo: A Jewish Woman’s Encounter with Egypt, she recounts how they were advised initially not to share the fact that they are Jewish. They discover what it means to hide and then increasingly share their identity as they cross the boundaries of language, culture, and religion to form real friendships and find a home among Egyptians. In her multi-faceted rabbinate, Sohn is an experienced guide in Jewish meditation practice and serves as Director of The Leona Aronoff Rabbinic Mentoring Program and Rabbi of the Beit Midrash at Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles.
Rabbi Reuven Firestone Sat Oct 12
9:15am — Shabbat Morning Services in the Beit Knesset — Rabbi Firestone speaks on Lekh-lekha in the Torah and the Qur’an, followed by Kiddush Lunch.
1pm — Rabbi Firestone, along with Rabbi Sohn will speak about their recent year in Berlin: Living Jews and Jewish Ghosts, and Germans who are Dying to be Jewish.
7:30pm — Havdalah followed by Rabbi Firestone’s presentation on Islamophobia and Antisemitism: Roots and Remedy, followed by dessert reception.
Rabbi Ruth Sohn Sat Oct 12
10am — Kol Neshama Meditation Minyan in the Beit Midrash with Rabbi Sohn.
1pm — Rabbi Sohn, along with Rabbi Firestone will speak about their recent year in Berlin: Living Jews and Jewish Ghosts, and Germans who are Dying to be Jewish.
Sun Oct 13
9:30–11am — Rabbi Sohn speaks about her book: Crossing Cairo: A Jewish Women’s Encounter with Egypt and will be signing books. Books will be available for purchase.
This program is held in partnership with the Osher Marin Jewish Community Center.

no need to RSVP