The Young Israel of Teaneck is pleased to announce that the Shabbos of March 4-5, Rabbi Dr. Edward Reichman will join the shul as a Scholar-in-Residence as part of the Dr. Bertram J. z”l and Ann Newman Adult Education Program. The theme of the weekend will be Halacha and Medicine. The entire community is invited to attend the talks throughout Shabbos.
“Medicine is advancing at a dizzying pace,” said Rabbi Dr. Reichman. “As Torah-observant Jews, we need to address the Jewish legal ramifications of new technologies such as gene editing, artificial reproductive seed and uterus transplants. In our lectures we will address the halachic ramifications of organ donation, reproductive technology and vaccination for infectious diseases, as well as the potential concerns for the Zika virus. It is remarkable how our ancient tradition can comprehensively address even the latest advances in modern science.”
Rabbi Dr. Reichman will speak multiple times over the course of Shabbos. Friday night at 8:30pm, in the main sanctuary, his topic will be: “My Sister’s Keeper: A Case Study in Organ Donation and Evolving Medical Halacha in the 21st Century.” Shabbos morning Rabbi Dr. Reichman will join the teen minyan at 8am in the Bais Medrash. Then, following davening at the 9 a.m. minyan, in the main sanctuary, he will give a shiur entitled, “Medical Halacha Update: Gene Editing and New Frontiers in Reproductive Technology.” Shabbos afternoon, at 4:15 in the main sanctuary, he will speak on the topic “From the Ten Plagues to the Zika Virus: Infectious Disease and Vaccinations in Halacha.” Mincha will follow at 5:20. At shalosh seudos (following Mincha), in the social hall, Rabbi Dr. Reichman will answer questions attendees have about medical ethics.
“We’re excited to host Rabbi Dr. Reichman,” said Rabbi Binyamin Krohn, rabbi of the Young Israel of Teaneck. “We’ve been making a concerted effort to expand our adult education offerings and this look at the intersection of Halacha and medicine is a great addition to our lineup.”
Rabbi Dr. Edward Reichman is a Professor of Emergency Medicine and professor in the division of education and bioethics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, where he teaches Jewish medical ethics. He received his rabbinic ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University and writes and lectures internationally in the field of Jewish medical ethics. He is the recipient of a Kornfeld Foundation Fellowship, and has been a member of the advisory boards of the Institute for Genetics and Public Policy, the New York Organ Donor Network, the Halakhic Organ Donor Society and the Rabbinical Council of America. He has been a mentor of the Medical Ethics Society of Yeshiva University since its inception. His research is devoted to the interface of medical history and Jewish law.
The Young Israel of Teaneck is located at 868 Perry Lane in Teaneck. For more information email [email protected].
By Sara Kosowsky Gross
