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On Tuesday, May 4th, Areyvut held its Second Annual Lecture at the UJA-Federation of New York in Manhattan. Renowned author and member of Areyvut’s Advisory Committee Rabbi Joseph Telushkin addressed an attentive audience on the need to sustain a balance between ritual observance and Jewish ethics.
Using personal anecdotes to illustrate his point, Rabbi Telushkin shared an insightful approach to the rejuvenation of ethical behavior in today's Jewish community. He bemoaned the observation that "ethics are an extracurricular activity" in today's society and called for an infusion of "moral imagination" to ensure that ethics maintain an important place in Judaism.
Rabbi Telushkin offered a number of practical ways to approach moral dilemmas with a sense of imagination, including offering a prayer when an ambulance passes and participating in a "complaining fast." He stressed the importance of developing a system to turn good intentions into actions, expressing gratitude to even those who are out of sight, maintaining a happy disposition, praying for others, and demonstrating ones love for his or her spouse.
Declaring that it would be a "worthy campaign" to convince parents "to reserve their highest praise of children for when they do kind acts," Rabbi Telushkin placed special emphasis on the importance of modeling a "moral imagination" when dealing with children. Rabbi Telushkin praised Areyvut for taking on the task of teaching ethical ideals to children and spoke proudly of his affiliation with the organization.
Rabbi Telushkin concluded by wishing the audience a "Good today and even better tomorrow," explaining that we can build a brighter future by bettering ourselves today. A reception and a special signing of the Book of Jewish Values, one of Rabbi Telushkin's many acclaimed texts, followed the lecture.
Areyvut would like to acknowledge and thank all the corporate sponsors including: Graphic Dimensions Press, Highscribe Transcription Services, JK Technology Group, Judaica Press, Law Office Interactive, Mummies & Masterpieces, PIP Printing Westbury, SawYouAtSinai.com, Tal Tours and the UJA-Federation of New York.
Audio tapes of the presentation are available for $7 and video tapes are available for $15.
Please make your check payable to Areyvut and send it to:
1001 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 1208
New York, NY 10018
If you have any questions please contact us at
212-813-2950 or info@areyvut.org. Please allow one week for delivery.
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