5/17/15 UTJ “Conversion Crisis”Conference: Rabbi Novak: “Reviving the Ger Toshav”

Converts/Conversion, Life Cycle, Modern Judaism

by Rabbi David Novak

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are that of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the Union for Traditional Judaism, unless otherwise indicated.

On Sunday, May 17, 2015, the Union for Traditional Judaism convened a discussion of the state of conversion in Judaism, entitled “Conversion Crisis: Is the System Broken?” The program was chaired by Dr. Adena Berkowitz, co-founder and scholar in residence at Kol HaNeshamah : The Center for Jewish Life and Enrichment and noted author.

In this video, Rabbi David Novak, J. Richard and Dorothy Shiff Chair of Jewish Studies, University of Toronto, and President of the Union for Traditional Judaism delivers a talk on the subject of “Reviving the Ger Toshav in the Land of Israel.”

Information on the full conference and all conference video is here.

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About Rabbi David Novak

One of the founding members of the UTJ, Rabbi David Novak is recognized scholar in Talmud and theology. He has served on the Panel of Halakhic Inquiry and contributed to the UTJ’s 3-volume Tomeikh K’Hakalakha, a series of questions & answers on topical religious issues.

A disciple of Rabbi Saul Lieberman, Rabbi Novak is the author of many books and scholarly works, including:

Law and Theology in Judaism (Volumes I and II) (1974)
Suicide and Morality: The Theories of Plato, Aquinas, and Kant and Their Relevance for Suicidology (1975)
The Image of the Non-Jew in Judaism: A Historical and Constructive study of the Noahide Laws (1983)
Halakhah in a Theological Dimension (1985)
Jewish-Christian Dialogue: A Jewish Justification (1989)
The Theology of Nahmanides Systematically Presented (1992)
Jewish Social Ethics (1992)
The Election of Israel: The Idea of the Chosen People (1995)
Leo Strauss and Judaism: Jerusalem and Athens Critically Revisited (1996)
Natural Law in Judaism (1998)
Covenantal Rights: A Study in Jewish Political Theory (2000)
Talking with Christians: Musings of a Jewish Theologian (2005)
In Defense of Religious Liberty (2009)
Natural Law:A Jewish, Christian, and Islamic Trialogue (2014), co-authored with Matthew Levering and Anver Emon
Zionism and Judaism (2015)
Jewish Justice (2017)

Rabbi Novak holds the J. Richard and Dorothy Shiff Chair of Jewish Studies as Professor of Religion and Philosophy at the University of Toronto, where he is a member of University College and the Centre for Jewish Studies. He is also a consulting scholar and a member of the Board of Advisors of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University.

Learn more about Rabbi Novak.

5/17/15 UTJ “Conversion Crisis”Conference: Rabbi Novak: “Reviving the Ger Toshav”

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