We are delighted to welcome Professor Arnold Eisen on December 21 and December 22 for our next Scholar in Residence weekend! During his visit, he will be discussing his newest book, Seeking the Hiding God.

• ONLY non-members must register below to attend Professor Eisen's talks on Saturday. Scroll all the way down to register.
• Members and non-members must register here to attend Professor Eisen's Book Talk on Sunday. 

About Saturday's D'var Torah & Shabbat Shiur

On December 21st, join us in the Sanctuary or on Zoom for two talks by Professor Eisen:

Approx. 11:15 am | "Doing Theology with Joseph"
Professor Eisen will share his thoughts on the parshaVayeshev through the lens of his new book.

1:15 pm | "Writing My Personal Theology—and Yours"
Professor Eisen will discuss how he wrote his newest book, why he wrote it as he did, why reflection on our personal theology is so difficult, and why he found it so worthwhile.

About Professor Eisen

One of the world’s foremost authorities on American Judaism, Professor Eisen is chancellor emeritus of the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) and a professor of Jewish Thought. He became chancellor in 2007 and stepped down in 2020 to return to teaching and scholarship as a full-time member of the JTS faculty. During his tenure as chancellor, he transformed the education of religious, pedagogical, professional, and lay leaders for North American Jewry, with a focus on graduating highly skilled, innovative leaders who bring Judaism alive in ways that speak authentically to Jews at a time of rapid and far-reaching change. He has also served on the faculties of Stanford, Tel Aviv, and Columbia universities. 

Professor Eisen contributes regularly to print and online media, including the Wall Street Journal, The Jewish Week, Huffington Post, Tablet, and Fortune. He discusses Jewish education, philosophy, and values on his blog, On My Mind: Arnie Eisen. He is the author of several books, including Galut: Modern Jewish Reflection on Homelessness and Homecoming; Rethinking Modern Judaism: Ritual, Commandment, Community; and most recently, Seeking the Hiding God: A Personal Theological Essay.

About His New Book

Professor Eisen examines the elusive nature of God and the significance of divine encounters through the lens of Jewish rituals and traditions. The book explores the responsibilities of humans as God's partners and the personal and communal implications of faith and doubt. The book’s three chapters meet contemporary Jews of all persuasions, and non-Jews interested in Judaism, at the points where they are most likely to experience Jewish ritual and tradition: a Passover Seder, with its theme of past and future redemption; the Yom Kippur liturgy that guides worshippers through the difficult work of atonement, forgiveness, and return; and the day-to-day responsibilities, personal and communal, of covenant, mitzvah, and love. Seeking the Hiding God invites readers to join Professor Eisen in asking what they actually believe about ultimate matters of faith and doubt—and rewards fellow searchers for ultimate meaning with reassurance that the search itself can be a source of personal fulfillment, vibrant community, and great joy.

Non-members must register below to attend on Saturday.