By Mike Russo
Conservative, reform, reconstructionist and non-affiliated Jewish institutions in Nassau County came together to form the South Shore Adult Jewish Institute, which is set to host its first event on Sunday.
Jack Greenfield, president of the Baldwin Freeport Jewish Community Council and a past president of the Baldwin Jewish Center, is touting the organization as one that seeks to educate all people, not just Jews, on the many different aspects of Jewish culture and history. Greenfield said that word of the plan to hold lectures throughout the South Shore made its way to many local rabbis, who Greenfield said were more than happy to become involved and lend their support. “This is not just a religious thing,” said Greenfield. “The history of Israel is not a religious thing. Everybody’s excited about the concept of having an educational series that would be a lasting thing supporting a wide variety of people.”
The South Shore Adult Jewish Institute has scheduled the following three lectures thus far this year: The first will be held March 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center of West Hempstead. Dr. Samuel Heilman, a professor of Jewish Studies and Sociology at Queens College and at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, will be the featured speaker for a lecture on “Jewish Fundamentalism and Messianism.” Heilman is a renowned lecturer and author, having written many books, articles and reviews.
