Do Judaism’s teachings extend beyond the ‘religious’? What is the basis for this idea? Can we make appropriate political decisions based on Judaism? If so, how can we account for the political differences between equally believing, observing Jews?

Furthermore, what role do clergy and freedom of the pulpit play in this discussion? And what are the possible consequences of mixing religion and politics?

Rabbi Jonathan A. Stein, a native of Pennsylvania, was ordained in 1975 from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in Cincinnati. In 2000, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the same seminary.

From 1994 through June 2001, Rabbi Stein served as the senior rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel in San Diego.

Rabbi Stein succeeded to the presidency of the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) in March 2011 for a two-year term. He is immediate past editor of the Journal of the CCAR. He co-teaches a course for second year rabbinic students at Hebrew Union College in New York and also serves on the CCAR Budget & Finance Committee. Rabbi Stein has served as a member, vice-president, president and chairman of more than 40 different Jewish professional and communal organizations. He has been published in Compass magazine and Journal of Reform Judaism, among others.

In 1969, Rabbi Stein married Susan Pollock, whom he met while both were in high school youth group. Susan is an educational therapist and reading specialist working at Ramaz Middle School and the Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter. She is also a volunteer for various social action projects in the congregation. They have two daughters, Rachel Rosner and Jessica Colvin, and four grandchildren.

No fee, but please RSVP below at least one week in advance. For more information contact Program Director Ilene Tatro; itatro@cbisd.org or call 858 535-1111, ext.2516