About Rabbi Washofsky
Rabbi Mark Washofsky is an emeritus professor of Rabbinics at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati. He specializes in the literature of Jewish law (halakhah) and the application of legal theory to the understanding of the Jewish legal process. His publications deal with such subjects as the history of the halakhah, the nature of rabbinical decision making, and issues of medical ethics in Jewish law. He serves as chair of the Solomon B. Freehof Institute of Progressive Halakhah. He chaired the Responsa Committee of the Central Conference of American Rabbis from 1996-2017. He is the author of Reading Reform Responsa and of Jewish Living: A Guide to Contemporary Reform Practice.
Presents
Rabbi Mark Washofsky, PhD.
UJC Scholar-in-Residence
Rabbi Washofsky will be Zooming in for this lecture series.
Friday, 7 March 2025
7:00 PM (Service), 8:00 PM (Lecture)
Understanding Reform Responsa
An Introduction to this genre of halachic literature in the Reform context.
Those attending services in person will be able to the view the lecture on screen. There will be an Oneg this evening.
Zoom link (same link for service): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88534990398
Saturday, 8 March 2025 (Zoom only)
9:00 AM —The Death of King Saul: A Warrant for Assisted Suicide?
The king of Israel takes his life to avoid capture by enemy forces. How does Jewish law understand this act as a “precedent”? What do we learn from it? And what do we not learn from it?
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82344789013
Saturday, 8 March 2025 (Zoom only)
8:00 PM — “They Teach Him the Principles of the Faith”: What Must One Learn Before Converting to Judaism?
Does the halakhah set a curriculum of study for the Jew-by-choice? And if it does, what does that mean for the person born into the covenant?
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89966299105
Sunday, 9 March 2025
10:00 AM — Happy the Elephant and the Halakhah: Do animals have rights under Jewish law?
What – if anything – is our ethical duty toward other species, and how far are we permitted to go in using them for our benefit?
Lecture can be viewed on screen in the Sanctuary or attended via Zoom.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85017007730
(This program is made possible through the generous sponsorship of the Salata Family.)