Spotlight on CLAL
Welcome to Spotlight on CLAL. Here you will find stories about what is happening at CLAL and about the work that CLAL is doing across North America. Sometimes we will focus on a program, or a special event, or upon a CLAL faculty member's work and interests. Bookmark this page if you want to get to know us better.
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Exploring Truth, Faith and Doubt in Religion: Two Aspen Forums
By Judy Epstein, Director of Public Affairs
In August, CLAL Vice President Rabbi Brad Hirschfield was in Aspen for a compelling program on religion, faith, and doubt in the world today. The event addressed many of the fundamental questions on the future of religion and identity in America. Participants discussed Judaism’s belief in oneness and how that has shaped our construct of community. Part of the two-day program included a (public) hike and text study linking the mind, body and spirit. The event concluded with a screening of Rabbi Hirschfield’s interview on Nightline UpClose (ABC-TV) discussing the dark side of religion as a launch for conversation on how religion has been used as both a force for good and evil.
“We have never lived at a time when religion was so damaging and damaged, and yet the world needed it so much,” said Rabbi Hirschfield.
While in Aspen, Rabbi Hirschfield also participated on a panel at the esteemed Aspen Institute on solutions to the cultural collision between Islam and Western religions. Hosted by Walter Isaacson, President of the Institute, and former Chairman of CNN and managing editor of Time magazine, the program also featured Feisal Abdul Rauf, Imam of Masjid al-Farah, and Dr. Elaine Pagels, Professor of Religion at Princeton University. Panelists discussed terrorism, fundamentalism, and how to read religious traditions for the betterment or detriment of humanity. The evening is the first in a three-part series to take place over the next two years to help jump-start cross-cultural dialogue.
While CLAL has had a long-term presence in Aspen, this year’s programs galvanized the community, attracting many new participants, colleagues, and the public-at-large.
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