Drawing on the inspiring example of his teacher Elie Wiesel, Rabbi Dr. Ariel Burger founded The Witness Institute, which strives to create a more compassionate and just world. As a rabbi and Jewish spiritual seeker, Ariel draws on Jewish texts and tales to open and deepen conversations with emerging leaders about universal topics like memory and moral leadership, Otherness, sacred conflict, and the competing claims of justice and compassion. How do the Witness Fellows, most of whom are not Jewish, see Jewish wisdom as a resource for their work as leaders and activists? Join Ariel and Witness Fellow Juliana Taimoorazy, an Assyrian Christian refugee and powerful leader, to explore how The Witness Institute is reframing the conversation about particular Jewish identity and universal human commitments.

ARIEL BURGER, CSP’s 20th Annual one-month scholar in residence, is the founding director and senior scholar of The Witness Institute, a new project to empower emerging leaders, inspired by the life and legacy of Elie Wiesel. He is an author, artist, and teacher whose work integrates spirituality, the arts, and strategies for social change. An Orthodox-trained rabbi, Ariel received his PhD in Jewish Studies and Conflict Resolution at Boston University under Elie Wiesel. A lifelong student of Professor Wiesel, Ariel served as his Teaching Fellow from 2003-2008, after which he directed education initiatives at Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston. He recently published a book about his tenure with Elie Wiesel entitled “Witness: Lessons from Elie Wiesel’s Classroom” (winner of the 2018 National Jewish Book Award for Biography). As a Covenant Foundation grantee, Ariel develops cutting-edge arts and educational programming for adults, facilitates workshops for educators, consults for non-profits, and serves as scholar/artist-in-residence for institutions around the U.S. When Ariel’s not learning or teaching, he is creating music, art, and poetry. He lives outside of Boston with his family.

There is no fee, but please RSVP for planning purposes. This event is held virtually on Zoom. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event. For more information, contact Program Director Ilene Tatro at itatro@cbisd.org.

CSP Partners: Beth Israel (San Diego, CA), Brotherhood Synagogue (Gramercy Park, NYC), Congregation Beth Shalom (Seattle, WA), Congregation B’nai Tzedek (Fountain Valley, CA), Congregation B’nai Israel (Tustin, CA), Jewish Collaborative of Orange County, CA, Shomrei Torah Synagogue (San Fernando Valley, CA), Temple Bat Yahm (Newport Beach, CA), Temple Beth El of South Orange County (Aliso Viejo, CA), Temple Beth Emet (Anaheim, CA), Temple Beth Ohr (La Mirada, CA), Temple Beth Tikvah (Fullerton, CA), Temple Beth Shalom (Needham, MA), Temple Beth Sholom (Santa Ana, CA), Temple Emanuel (Newton, MA), Town & Village Synagogue (NYC, NY), University Synagogue (Irvine, CA), Valley Beth Shalom (Encino, CA) & Walnut Street Synagogue (Chelsea, MA)