Recent studies point to declining synagogue membership and denominational identification as signs of crisis in American Judaism. This symposium focuses attention on theological dimensions of the perceived crisis. Six leading thinkers come together to share their unique vantage points on a series of questions: Is American Judaism theologically bankrupt or is it at the cusp of a radically new beginning? How should we diagnose this perceived crisis and what proposals might counter it? How can American Judaism build on traditional Jewish thought to address today’s challenges?

Free, but reservations are required at uofcconference@spertus.edu

PRESENTERS
Dr. Rachel Adler, Professor of Modern Jewish Thought and Judaism and Gender, Hebrew Union College-Los Angeles

Rabbi Saul Berman, Professor of Jewish Studies, Yeshiva University and Founder of Edah

Dr. Arnold M. Eisen, Chancellor and Professor of Jewish Thought, Jewish Theological Seminary and Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies, Stanford University

Rabbi Dr. David Ellenson, President and Grancell Professor of Jewish Religious Thought, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion

Rabbi Dr. Arthur Green, Rector of the Rabbinical School and Professor of Religion, Hebrew College, Boston and former Dean
and President of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College

Dr. Riv-Ellen Prell, Professor of American Studies, University of Minnesota

The University of Chicago Center for Jewish Studies in collaboration with Spertus is proud to host this timely and important conference. The conference is co-sponsored by the Martin Marty Center for the Advanced Study of Religion at the University of Chicago Divinity School, and the Karla Scherer Center for the Study of American Culture, the University of Chicago.