Jewish perspectives on modern medical ethics and life-and-death dilemmas.
ONLINE
Wednesday, 12:00-1:30pm (ET), Feb. 11 - Apr. 29
Course Description :
Human cloning. Genetic identity. Assisted suicide. Surrogacy. Significant progress – but thorny ethical issues. Modern medical advances can improve and prolong life but also raise dilemmas about its sanctity and dignity – and Judaism has a lot to say about it. This 10-session course explores the positive, negative, beneficial, and detrimental aspects of the new technologies in the medical field and the wisdom Judaism offers us in our encounters with them. The course was designed and written by world-renowned medical ethicist, Rabbi Elliot Dorff, PhD (author of Matters of Life and Death: A Jewish Approach to Modern Medical Ethics).
Wednesdays, 10:00-11:30am (ET)
Dr. Ben Zion “Benzy” Kogen is a leadership and education consultant with decades of experience in Jewish education and nonprofit leadership. A faculty member at the Melton School for Adult Jewish Studies (Hebrew University), he teaches widely on Jewish history, texts, ethics, and culture.
He has held senior roles at Camp Ramah, serves as Cantor at the Jewish Home for the Aging, and founded “Your Shabbat Guest” to enrich Shabbat experiences. An acclaimed educator, he has taught learners of all ages across North America.
Benzy has held numerous community leadership positions, including with the USCJ Board of Directors, and holds degrees from Columbia University, the Jewish Theological Seminary, and Teachers College. In 2023, he received an Honorary Doctorate from JTS. He lives in Reseda, CA, with his wife, three children, and seven grandchildren.
