The Life, Wisdom, and Example of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel

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Thursdays, February 16 and 23 and March 1, 7pm

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907-1972) was one of our era’s truly great teachers and leaders. Born the son of esteemed Hasidic lineage, Heschel ultimately ventured forth from the insular world of his childhood to explore the critical scholarship and varied Jewish culture of Berlin. Maintaining all along his spirit of piety and devotion, Heschel engaged with Jewish voices of all stripes and encountered the pressing questions of his day. On the threshold of WWII, he was rescued from the horrors that awaited Europe’s Jews and brought to the United States, where he lived and taught for the remainder of his life. Integrating profound intellect with unabashed love for God and Torah, and intimate attention to spiritual life with bold action in the public sphere, Heschel’s life and teaching continue to serve as a model and inspiration in ways ranging from prayer to activism. In these three sessions, in the context of learning about his family, community and milieu, we will explore particular pieces of his writing and reflect upon their meaning for us as individuals, as a community, and as a society.