From: Rabbi James D. Cohn <rabbi.mailbox@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Nov 9, 2010 at 2:47 PM
Subject: Rabbi to discuss mind, brain and religion
To: Temple <templeisraelwv@gmail.com>
For Immediate Release
Religion: Where Brain Meets Mind?
Instructor: Rabbi James Cohn, M.A.
December 1 and 8, 7:00-8:30 pm
Temple Israel, 2312 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston WV 25311
Why did prophecy cease? When did religious ruminating begin? And can science help us find the answers?
These are questions that will be addressed in an interdisciplinary mini-course offered at Temple Israel in December.
"It's strange but true," said Rabbi Jim Cohn of Temple Israel. "You won't find the word 'mind' in the Old Testament – at least not in Hebrew. Despite poor English translations, it's not there." He added, "What you find a lot of, are prophecies."
People in the Hebrew Bible don't talk much about the contents of their minds, said Rabbi Cohn. But everybody talks about the contents of their ears.
"Where did all those divine voices suddenly go?" said Rabbi Cohn. "What induced the switch from hearing to pondering? And why did the switch happen so quickly?" asked the rabbi, noting the change in biblical vocabulary over a few short centuries.
Rabbi Cohn thinks that part of the answer to these questions might be found in the structure of the brain, and in how we understand that structure as a mind. In describing the possible appeal of the subject, he said, "The mind-brain question, and its various expressions in the Bible, should be something that will interest clergy, neurobiologists, psychologists, physicians, lawyers, accountants, painters, homemakers, widget manufacturers, and retired retail salespersons – in short, anyone who has ever thought a thought, and wondered how that little mystery takes place."
On two Wednesday nights, December 1 and December 8, from 7:00 to 8:30, in a program open to the public, Rabbi James Cohn will help us explore how our words shape our thoughts about God – and our thoughts about thinking.
The program will take place at Temple Israel, 2312 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston WV 25311. It is open to the public and reservations are not required.
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Sky Kershner, 304-346-9689 x13
Kanawha Pastoral Counseling
www.kpcc.com
Communication Workshop Nov 12-13
"Adventures in Honesty"
