This Week at CNS! 
Rabbis for Women of the Wall, God vs. Gay, 
Religious Zionism, Love and Taxes, and more!
Tuesday, November 15, 7:30pm 
Yes We Do! Why Rabbis Across the Spectrum Support Women's Rights at the Kotel in Jerusalem

Rabbinic Panel Discussion featuring:  Rabbi David Kalb (Orthodox), Director of the Bronfman Center for Jewish Life,  92nd Street Y, New York; Rabbi Menachem Creditor (Conservative), Congregation Netivot Shalom, Berkeley; Rabbi Stephen Pearce (Reform), Congregation Emanu-El; Rabbi Jane Litman, Regional Director, Jewish Reconstructionist Federation; and Rabbi Pamela Frydman (Renewal), Academy for Jewish Religion, California and Moderated by Rachel Biale,  Author of Women and Jewish Law and New Israel Fund Lay Leader. - FREE EVENT

November 17, 7:30pm
Jay Michaelson, Author of "God vs. Gay" 

Jay Michaelson is a writer, scholar, and activist whose work addresses the intersections of religion, sexuality, spirituality, and law.  His newest book is God vs. Gay?  The Religious Case for Equality, will be published in October, 2011, by Beacon Press.  Jay is is the author of three other books and over 200 articles, essays, and works of fiction.  He is the Associate Editor of Religion Dispatches, a Contributing Editor to the Forward newspaper, and Founding Editor of Zeek magazine.  Jay's presentation will be followed by a public conversation with Rabbi Michael Lerner. - FREE EVENT, Books available for signing and purchase

November 17, 7:30pm
Ongoing Class on Religious Zionism 
with Bay Area Masorti Visiting Scholar Rabbi Avi Novis-Deutsch

Rabbi Avi Novis-Deutsch was born and raised in an Ashkenazi Orthodox family in Jerusalem and has become a leading  Israeli-born  Masorti rabbi in Israel.  He has a BA in Jewish History and Philosophy from the Open University, an M.A. in Talmud and Halacha, and smicha from the Schechter Institute, Jerusalem.  He was a pulpit rabbi for the Masorti  movement  in Jerusalem and worked in a wide variety of non-profit and educational institutions in Israel. He is currently a visiting Masorti scholar from Israel to the Bay Area (and a proud CNS Membber!) for the second year. 

November 20, 10:30am
"Jewish Mysticism & the Spiritual Life" with Rabbi Or Rose 

Over the last two decades or so, increasing numbers of Jewish and non-Jewish seekers in the United Sates and elsewhere have turned to the teachings of Kabbalah and Hasidism in their spiritual journeys.  What are some of the core teachings of these mystical traditions?  What has attracted people to them? And what might we glean from our Kabbalistic and Hasidic forebears?  Our discussion will include the study of several primary textual sources (provided in the original and in translation), and an open discussion of the possibilities and challenges of engaging these sources in our contemporary cultural contexts. The author or editor of several books and articles on Jewish spirituality, social and environmental justice, and interfaith cooperation, he recently co-edited Jewish Mysticism and the Spiritual Life: Classical Texts, Contemporary Reflections.  Rabbi Rose is a member of the Shalom Hartman Institute's North American Scholars Circle, and serves on the editorial committee of Sh'ma: A Journal of Jewish Responsibility. - FREE EVENT, Books available for signing and purchase

 

Saturday Night, Nov. 19, 8pm
"Love & Taxes" on Stage & Screen with Josh Kornbluth - @CNS!

The inimitable Josh Kornbluth will entertain, inspire, and thoroughly delight you. Josh has just completed a new film, Love and Taxes, based on Josh's highly successful solo performance piece. The film will be released--when else?--on Tax Day, April 15, 2012. On this sneak-peak evening Josh will perform excerpts from the monologue, show sneak previews of excerpts from the film, and engage in conversation with Rabbi Menachem Creditor. 

and don't miss...

December 10, 8pm: Release concert of Rabbi Creditor's new CD "Within" 

This new album is a collaborative shul project featuring original compositions and the debut recording of "V'asu", a song composed by Debbie Friedman z"l upon the dedication of the physical home for Netivot Shalom on University Avenue 6 years ago.

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