Living in Uncertain Times: Responses to Crisis in the Bible and in Our Own Lives
Whether dealing with personal crisis or collective catastrophe, recovering from emotional and physical hurt is difficult. How do people in the Bible respond to disaster and suffering? And how, from an emotinal and psychological perspective, can these models guide us in coping with and recovering from trauma?
To discuss these important and timely issues, The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) is pleased to present DR. KATHLEEN M. O’CONNOR, McPheeters Professor of Old Testament, Emerita at Columbia Theological Seminary, who will delivered a lecture JTS titled “Living in Uncertain Times: Responses to Crisis in the Bible and in Our Own Lives.” This program, a Jack and Lewis Rudin Lecture, wa be held on Thursday, February 28, 2013, at JTS’s campus at 3080 Broadway (at 122nd Street) in New York City.
Dr. O’Connor, author of the remarkable post-9/11 book Lamentations and the Tears of the World and the groundbreaking Jeremiah: Pain and Promise, draws on her scholarship to explore biblical reactions to crisis in the context of trauma and disaster theory. DR. MICHELLE FRIEDMAN, director of Pastoral Counseling at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School, and DR. RACHEL YEHUDA, professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, respond to Dr. O’Connor’s remarks in light of their professional and clinical expertise. The program is cosponsored by the Center for Pastoral Education at JTS, which is supported by funding from the Charles H. Revson Foundation; the Rita J. and Stanley H. Kaplan Family Foundation, Inc.; and the Caring Commission of UJA-Federation of New York.
Distinguished professor of Bible Kathleen M. O’Connor, PhD, is the author and editor of numerous books and articles. Prior to joining the faculty of Columbia Theological Seminary, she taught at the Maryknoll School of Theology, and has taught courses in venues around the world.
Michelle Friedman, MD, is director of Pastoral Counseling at the open Orthodox rabbinical seminary Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, and an associate clinical professor of Psychiatry at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Dr. Friedman devotes much of her professional time to the interface of psychiatry and religious life.
Rachel Yehuda, PhD, is professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience and director of the Traumatic Stress Studies Division at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. She is also the Mental Health Patient Care Center director at the James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Dr. Yehuda has written widely in the field of traumatic stress.
The Jack and Lewis Rudin Lectures provide the opportunity for eminent academics, religious leaders, intellectuals, and public figures to discuss topics of interest with the JTS community and the public at large.
