This summer has been particularly exciting for the Fort Lee Jewish community. Beginning in June, the community began its first “Summer Learning Series” featuring Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter, senior scholar at Yeshiva University’s Center for the Jewish Future. The series is jointly sponsored by the Young Israel of Fort Lee and the Sephardic Synagogue of Fort Lee, also known as Bet Yosef. The series’ theme is, “Modern Theology in a Biblical Land.” The community was eager to learn with Rabbi Schacter, as indicated by the nearly 100 people in attendance at the first lecture, held at YIFL. Rabbi Schacter enlightened the audience as he spoke about the difficulty defining whether or not the State of Israel represents the beginning of the Messianic era. In the second lecture, hosted at the Bet Yosef, Rabbi Schacter delivered a fascinating lecture focusing on the interplay between science, halacha and history. He specifically focused on the great mystery surrounding the “Bnai Menashe.”

The lecture series concludes this Monday evening at YIFL with a presentation regarding the significance of Jerusalem in the Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths. Rabbi Zev Goldberg, rabbi of YIFL, is particularly proud of the unity this learning series has fostered. He remarked, “We began this series shortly before the Three Weeks, in which we mourn the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash. Sitting in a room packed with Ashkenazim and Sephardim who have all gathered to learn Torah from Rabbi Schacter is the greatest way to combat the forces that caused the destruction of the Temple.”

Rabbi Schacter’s lecture this Monday evening, August 3rd, is open to the public and free of charge. The program begins with Mincha at 7:00 p.m. and concludes with Maariv after the lecture. For additional information, please contact the Young Israel of Fort Lee office at 201-592-1518.

By Audrey Cole