Introducing our Next Speaker in our Isaiah Speaks Series!

What is Isaiah Speaks?

Our synagogue’s namesake, the prophet Isaiah was not one to shy away from the most central and difficult questions of the day – and neither do we today. Isaiah Speaks is a new speaker series at Temple Isaiah featuring subject matter experts and opinion makers who will help us navigate today’s most relevant issues, all in the safe setting of our community. Utilizing the lens of our Jewish wisdom and tradition, Isaiah Speaks will lift up Judaism’s moral voice to help us better understand and respond to today’s most controversial concerns. At Isaiah, we do not shy away from difficult questions; instead, we embrace that our community is exactly the place where rigorous, respectful, and thoughtful discussion and debate are celebrated and where we can translate Jewish values into action and repair. Look for Isaiah Speaks programs throughout the year!

Intelligence, Consciousness or a Soul? Judaism and AI

With

Rabbi Geoff Mitelman, Founding Director of Sinai and Synapses

Monday, September 8, from 7pm-9pm

Temple Isaiah Sanctuary and Oneg Room

How do we define “intelligence” and how do we define “artificial”? Does AI have consciousness? A soul? While traditional Jewish texts wouldn’t know about ChatGPT, what analogies can we draw from Biblical, Rabbinic and later Jewish texts? Rabbi Geoff Mitelman will help us consider these questions as well as the moral implications for Artificial Intelligence in our world today and as we look into the future.

Following Rabbi Mitelman's talk, Temple Isaiah will provide small group opportunities for further conversation on the ideas presented by our speaker led by trained facilitators. Light dessert will be provided during the small group discussion.

Please try to join us in-person to give Rabbi Geoff Mitelman a warm welcome to Isaiah. If you are unable to join in person, please email reception at reception@temple-isaiah.org, who will add you to a list to receive a link the day of the event. 

Please email by Monday, September 8 at 4pm to be added to the list.

About Rabbi Geoff Mitelman:

Rabbi Geoffrey A. Mitelman is the Founding Director of Sinai and Synapses, an organization that bridges the scientific and religious worlds, and is being incubated at Clal - The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership.

His work has been supported by the John Templeton Foundation, Emanuel J. Friedman Philanthropies, and the Lucius N. Littauer Foundation, and his writings about the intersection of religion and science have been published in the books Seven Days, Many Voices and A Life of Meaning (both published by the CCAR press) and These Truths We Hold (published by HUC Press) as well as on The Huffington Post, Nautilus, Orbiter, The Wisdom Daily, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, and My Jewish Learning. He has been an adjunct professor at both the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion and the Academy for Jewish Religion, and is an internationally sought-out teacher, presenter, and scholar-in-residence.

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