Monotheism: One God, Many Questions

On Tue, May 1, 2012 at 1:48 PM, Victor <charlestonrabbi@yahoo.com> wrote:

Hi Sky!

Could you pass the attachment along to the folks? Please help us distribute.

Thanks and sorry I missed this morning!

Shalom!

Victor

 

Hadassah - Charleston Chapter

Federated Jewish Charities of Charleston

West Virginia Humanities Council

presents

 

Leon Wurmser, M.D., PhD h.c.

Renowned author

Psychoanalyst and former Clinical Professor of Psychiatry

West Virginia University

 

"Monotheism:  One God, Many Questions"

Examining the introduction of monotheism (the belief in the existence of one God) in human history

 as it is intimately related to the Bible and Judaism.

 

The Culture Center

Capitol Complex

1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East

 

Monday, May 14, 2012

7:30 p.m.

 

Reception following presentation

Sponsored by Mrs. Betty Schoenbaum

 

Commemorating the 100^th Anniversary of Hadassah

 

 Program Co-Chairmen

 Dr. Steven Jubelirer

 Dr. Martin Kommor

      

Monotheism (the belief that there is but one God) takes its roots in Judaism.  The early Hebrew text speaks of a jealous and angry god.  There is, thus, a strong theme of violence.  In direct contradiction, Monotheism teaches the central importance of justice, love and regard for personal dignity and the value of the individual.

 

How can we make sense of this deep and troublesome contradiction?  How does it shape our culture and for that matter world events?  Psychoanalysis is a psychology that addresses the central importance of inner conflict.

 

Midrash is the exposition of the underlying significance of a Bible text, the study of the Jewish law – to expound, to interpret, to deduce and, specifically, to expound the precepts and ethical values of the Scriptures.

      

Rabbi James Cohn, B'nai Temple Israel:

"With affection for his subject and respect for generations of Jewish inquiry, Dr. Leon Wurmser addresses the tensions in monotheistic religion between primitivism and maturity, between conflict and coexistence, between violence and peace.  Dr. Wurmser sees a microcosm of these tensions in his own discipline of psychoanalysis, which seeks to reconcile these conflicts as the individual grown from unfettered desire toward responsible autonomy.  Listening to Dr. Wurmser, as he expounds his midrash with insight and compassion, is as enjoyable as it is enlightening.

 

Rabbi Victor H. Urecki, B'nai Jacob Synagogue:

"Dr. Wurmser is an internationally-known psychoanalyst and thinker.  With Dr. Wurmser, Hadassah is bringing to Charleston a scholar who offers wisdom and insight into complex ideas on a level that will appeal to all.  To have someone of his depth and knowledge in our community is a rare opportunity to understand more about Judaism's religious and cultural development.  Please do not miss this outstanding event!"

 

--
Sky Kershner
Kanawha Pastoral Counseling
Charleston, WV
304-346-9689