Valley Beit Midrash

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Rabbi Arthur Waskow, Ph.D., the founder, and director of The Shalom Center (https://theshalomcenter.org/) on the topic of "Half a Century of Activism!" DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE: https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/learning-library https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash https://www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz

Rabbi Dr. Goldie Milgram, the Executive Director of Reclaiming Judaism (http://www.reclaimingjudaism.org/) presents her lecture, Wisdom from Reb Zalman: Embracing the Jewish Spirit before an audience at Temple Chai (templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ. ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Rabbi Dr. Zalman Schachter-Shalomi lived a calling to reach and touch people in deeply spiritual, supportive, and Jewishly profound ways. He developed effective approaches to bridging science and spirituality, pre-war European and 21st Century Judaism, patriarchy and feminism, tradition and innovation, Jewish faith and many faiths. Come be challenged and inspired, as Rabbi Goldie Milgram, one of his emissaries, and volume co-editor of Wisdom from Reb Zalman | Embracing the Jewish Spirit (Reclaiming Judaism Press), shares and convenes discussion of his fascinating and instructive encounters with students and colleagues worldwide. DONATE: bit.ly/1NmpbsP For more info, please visit: www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash/ www.facebook.com/temple.ch

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (www.rabbishmuly.com), the President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash, and Eddie Chavez Calderon, Campaign Organizer for Arizona Jews for Justice, presents their class, "Immigrant Rights in the Bible & Talmud" before an audience at Temple Chai (templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ. ABOUT THIS LECTURE: In this fascinating class, Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz and Eddie Chavez Calderon will approach the contemporary conversation about immigration through two unique modes: a text study Biblical and Talmudic teachings on immigrants and personal stories about life as an immigrant. DONATE: bit.ly/1NmpbsP For more info, please visit: www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash/ www.facebook.com/temple.chai twitter.com/VBMTorah www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz/ Music: "They Say" by WowaMusik, a public domain track from the YouTube Audio Library

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Dr. John Fung, Professor of Surgery and the Co-Director of Transplant Institute at the University of Chicago (https://www.uchicagomedicine.org), on the topic of "The Many Dimensions of Kidney Donation!" DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE: https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/learning-library https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash https://www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (www.rabbishmuly.com), the President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash, presents his lecture, “Tikkun Olam: Exploring the Concept of Repairing the World Throughout Jewish Intellectual History!" before an audience at Temple Chai (templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ. ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) is a concept often invoked but rarely understood. It turns out that the phrase was used throughout Jewish history over the last two millennia in very different ways. In this class, Rabbi Shmuly will lead us through a text study of various sources to understand how different Jewish thinkers have understood the concept of tikkun olam and what that might mean for us today. DONATE: bit.ly/1NmpbsP For more info, please visit: www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash/ www.facebook.com/temple.chai twitter.com/VBMTorah www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz/ Music: "They Say" by WowaMusik, a public domain track from the YouTube Audio Library

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo, the Founder & Dean of the David Cardozo Academy (https://www.cardozoacademy.org/) on the question of "Time for New Halakhic System?" DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE: https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/learning-library https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash https://www.facebook.com/Rabbi.Nathan.Lopes.Cardozo/ https://www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz

Rabbi Micha Odenheimer, the founder of Tevel B'Tzedek (tevelbtzedek.org/), presents his lecture, "Reflections on the Conflict, Anti-Zionism, and American Jews" before an audience at Temple Chai (templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ. ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Micha, a rabbi and writer, who has lived in Israel for the past 32 years, will share snapshots from his personal experience as an Israeli, an American Jew, and a journalist on the current debate about Zionism, the conflict and Israel. Why do emotions on this issue run so high, and disagreements hurt so much? What facts and issues are too often ignored in the debate? What are the internal and external dangers that Israel faces as a result of the conflict? How can the discussion be reframed in order to move forward? What are the signs of hope, alongside the warning signs of hazard and potential tragedy? DONATE: bit.ly/1NmpbsP For more info, please visit: www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash/ www.facebook.com/temple.chai www.facebook.com/Tevelbtzedek.org twitter.com/V

Rabbi Micha Odenheimer, the founder of Tevel B'Tzedek (https://tevelbtzedek.org/), presents his lecture, "Shabbos in Somalia: Reflections on Judaism and the Global South" before an audience at Temple Chai (templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ. ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Rabbi Micha Odenheimer covered stories and crises in Africa and Asia for Haaretz, the Washington Post and others, beginning with the Ethiopian aliyah in 1991 and continuing with Haiti, Somalia, Iraq, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Indonesia. Already a rabbi when he began to report from the Global South, Micha’s travels inspired him to think about the relevance of Judaism to the challenges of globalization, poverty and the human future. In this lecture, Micha will share his thoughts and experiences, ending in his decision to create a Jewishly inspired international development organization, Tevel b’Tzedek, whose aim is to bridge between Israel, the Jewish people, and the challenge of poverty and environmental crisis in the Global South. DONATE: bit.ly/1

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO and National Director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) (https://www.adl.org/), on the topic of "Combating Anti-Semitism & Hate Today." DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE: https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/learning-library https://www.facebook.com/anti.defamatation.league https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash https://www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Rabbi Avi Weiss, Founder of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah and Hebrew Institute of Riverdale (https://www.yctorah.org), a leadership development scholar, on the topic of "The Building of Open Orthodoxy!" DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP BUY THE BOOK: https://amzn.to/31uOqBN For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE: https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/learning-library https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash https://www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Dr. Max Klau (https://www.maxklau.com/), a leadership development scholar, on the topic of "Race & Social Change!" DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE: https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/learning-library https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash https://www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Dr. Micah Goodman, a research fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem (https://hartman.org.il/) and President of Ein Prat, on the topic of "Reducing Suffering in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict." DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP PURCHASE "Catch-'67": https://amzn.to/2IqYYt3 For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE: https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/learning-library https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash https://www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Professor Saru Jayaraman, Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United (ROC United) (https://rocunited.org/) and Director of the Food Labor Research Center at University of California, on the topic of "Justice for Restaurant Workers!" DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP PURCHASE "FORKED": https://amzn.to/2We2dZJ For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE: https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/learning-library https://www.facebook.com/ROCUnited https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash https://www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (www.rabbishmuly.com), the President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash, presents his lecture, "Understanding Human Suffering: Theological, Moral, & Spiritual Explorations" before an audience at Temple Chai (templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ. ABOUT THIS LECTURE: How might we spiritually respond to our own pain and suffering? How might we morally respond to the pain and suffering of others? In this session, Rabbi Shmuly will explore Jewish sources on pain and suffering and explore various theological approaches to understanding this pervasive human phenomenon. DONATE: bit.ly/1NmpbsP For more info, please visit: www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash/ www.facebook.com/temple.chai twitter.com/VBMTorah www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz/ Music: "They Say" by WowaMusik, a public domain track from the YouTube Audio Library

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Professor Sarah Bunin Benor, the Professor of Contemporary Jewish Studies at the Los Angeles campus of HUC-JIR (http://huc.edu/), on the topic of " Is Hebrew Education in Sunday School Working?" DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE: https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/learning-library https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash https://www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Rabbi Professor Marc B. Shapiro, the Weinberg Chair in Judaic Studies at the University of Scranton (https://www.scranton.edu), on the topic of "Orthodox Rabbis Censoring Truth." DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP PURCHASE THE BOOK: https://amzn.to/2EmK6L5 For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE: https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/learning-library https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash https://www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz

Rabbi Emily Langowitz, of Temple Solel, presents her lecture "Judaism and Reproductive Justice: Reframing the Jewish Conversation on Abortion from Torah to Today," before an audience at Temple Solel (www.templesolel.org/) in Paradise Valley, AZ. ABOUT THIS LECTURE: In this class we will explore the continuing dialogue within Judaism around issues of reproductive health, specifically focusing on abortion. We’ll take a look at the classic texts used as grounding for decision-making around this issue, and also expand our awareness to include modern feminist critique of traditional modes of discussing abortion. Finally, we will see how Reproductive Justice as a framework broadens our understanding both of the issue of abortion and of our own evolving Judaisms. DONATE: bit.ly/1NmpbsP LEARNING MATERIALAS: https://bit.ly/2Jr8GPf For more info, please visit: www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash/ www.facebook.com/templesolelaz/ twitter.com/VBMTorah www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz/ Music: "They Say" by WowaMus

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (www.rabbishmuly.com), the President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash, presents his lecture, "The Book of Jonah: A Rebellious Prophet We Can Relate To" before an audience at Temple Chai (templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ. ABOUT THIS LECTURE: We read the story of Jonah every Yom Kippur but have we studied it in depth yet? In this session, participants will read the Book of Jonah together (just 4 short chapters) and interpret the book together with Rabbi Shmuly! DONATE: bit.ly/1NmpbsP For more info, please visit: www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash/ www.facebook.com/labshul/ www.facebook.com/temple.chai twitter.com/VBMTorah www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz/ Music: "They Say" by WowaMusik, a public domain track from the YouTube Audio Library.

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Professor Peter Singer (https://petersinger.info/) the Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics in the University Center for Human Values at Princeton University & Laureate Professor at the School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at University of Melbourne, on the topic of "Utilitarian Perspectives on Saving Lives, Organ Donation, & End-of-Life Ethics!" DONATE: bit.ly/1NmpbsP Music: "They Say" by WowaMusik, a public domain track from the YouTube Audio Library.

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Rabbi Dr. Richard Schwartz, one of the earliest voices on the subject of Jewish vegetarianism and environmentalism, as the two Jewish community leaders discuss what we can do to stop climate change before it's too late! DONATE: bit.ly/1NmpbsP Music: "They Say" by WowaMusik, a public domain track from the YouTube Audio Library.