Do you firmly belief in God? Are all the stories in the Torah true? And are its laws still ethical today? If you are not sure, you are not alone… Join us for an enlightening online book launch event featuring Rabbi Dr. Raphael Zarum in conversation with Dr. Tanya White. In his groundbreaking new work, Questioning Belief, Rabbi Zarum tackles twelve challenging questions that confront the Torah today, delving into its narratives, laws, and beliefs with depth and nuance. Drawing upon historical, scientific, and philosophical research alongside classical Jewish sources, Rabbi Zarum offers surprising and stimulating insights that invite readers to engage with their faith in profound ways. Renowned for his acclaimed lectures worldwide, Rabbi Zarum fearlessly confronts uncomfortable questions while maintaining a tradition-rooted and intellectually rigorous approach. Joining him is Dr. Tanya White, whose expertise in Tanach and Jewish Philosophy adds a unique and inspiring dimension to the conversation. Don’t miss this opportunity to delve into thought-provoking dialogue and deepen your understanding of Torah narratives and beliefs.

Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum is Dean of LSJS and holds the Rabbi Sacks Chair in Modern Jewish Thought at the school. He is a rabbinic leader, lecturer and author with a passion for teaching traditional Jewish texts and innovative educational programming for young and old. Rabbi Dr. Zarum earned a PhD in Theoretical Physics from King’s College London, leading to the publication of a number of papers on Quantum Chaos Theory. He also completed an MA in Adult Education, with distinction, at the Institute of Education in London. As well as Dean of LSJS, Rabbi Dr Zarum currently serves as the Scholar-in-Residence at the Central Square Minyan in Hampstead Garden Suburb. He studied at Yeshivat HaKotel in Jerusalem and the Kollel of the Judith Lady Montefiore College in London where he received rabbinic ordination. Rabbi Dr Zarum is a graduate of the prestigious Jerusalem Fellows programme at the Mandel Leadership Institute in Israel. He was the first Head of faculty of the Florence Melton Adult Mini School UK and was Director of Text-Based Jewish Education at the UJIA Centre for Informal Jewish Education. He is the creator of the Torah L’Am crash course and is the author of the ‘Torat Hadracha’ and ‘Jampacked Bible’ educational study guides.

Dr. Tanya White is a sought-after international lecturer and writer who specialises in Tanach and Contemporary Jewish Thought. She is a Senior lecturer at Matan Women’s Institute for Torah Studies and LSJS as well as teaching in Pardes, Bar Ilan and other institutions.  Tanya acts as scholar in residence to diverse communities in the US, Switzerland and the UK. She is a graduate of the Matan Hasharon Scholars program and holds a BSc from LSE in International Relations and an MA in Jewish studies and philosophy from LSJS and SOAS London.  She holds a doctorate in Jewish Philosophy from Bar Ilan University, and was elected as a “Sacks Scholar” in the inaugural cohort programme of Rabbi Sacks Scholars 2023/24. Tanya lives with her husband and family on a Moshav in central Israel. Her Torah thoughts and written publications can be seen on her website: www.tanyawhite.org.