November 7, 2008
One of the pillars of orthodox Jewish life is the study and discussion of Jewish law.
In today's rapidly changing times, these discussions cover a multitude of wide-ranging issues that affect Orthodox Jews, including cultural and life issues, conversion, divorce, and politics.
It was the spirited discussion of these issues by friends Joel H. Paul of Edison and Mark Kligman of Highland Park that was the genesis of the Orthodox Forum.
Eventually the discussions by Paul, president and CEO of Joel Paul Associates, a national firm that conducts executive searches in the non-profit field, and Kligman, a professor of musicology, led to the inclusion of other friends and the formation of the Orthodox Forum in 2006.
For the past two years, a growing number of distinguished rabbis, community leaders, and academics from the Highland Park-Edison area have met Saturday evenings, every other month at area synagogues to hear speakers, view films, and enter into lively discussions about Jewish culture and laws.
The Forum has gained in popularity among Orthodox Jews seeking answers to everything from the financial challenges of paying for yeshiva education, the experience of Orthodox Jewish students in college, the trend of the Orthodox community to the political right and agunah problems stemming from a husband's refusal to give his wife a get.
"The goal of the Forum," according to Joel Paul, "is to provide an in-depth analysis of the state of modern orthodoxy.
"Our audience is drawn from some 400 members of the community," Paul added, but emphasized that "anyone is welcome to attend, including college students and upper classmen from area high schools."
Those attending the forum are encouraged to suggest ideas for future Forum discussions, which are selected by a program committee. Past topics have included medical ethics, the pros and cons of sending a child away to college, dealing with kashrut, and a wealth of sociological problems. Currently there are some 25 topics planned for discussion in the next calender year, according to Paul.
There is no charge for attending the sessions, which are held on a rotating basis at synagogues throughout Highland Park and Edison.
An eagerly-awaited Forum program is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 8 at 8 p.m. at Congregation Ohr Torah in Edison, when the film "Lonely Man Of Faith" will be shown.
The film is about the life and legacy of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, renowned talmudist and philosopher and the intellectual leader of Modern Orthodox Judaism in the 20th century in America.
Soloveitchik was one of the most influential leaders of the American Jewish community of the 20th century. Over the course of his more than four decades at Yeshiva University he ordained some 2,000 rabbis, more than any other figure in Jewish history.
Known as "The Rav," Soloveitchik spent much of his time trying to negotiate between the demands of Judaism and the opportunities of the modern age - a constant theme throughout his writings and teachings.
The program is being chaired by Forum member Arnold Lustiger, an authority on Rav Soloveitchik, who has authored four books on the noted scholar and rabbi.
The film is narrated by acclaimed actress Tovah Feldshuh, known for her portrayal of Golda Meir, and noted film and stage actor and singer Theodore Bikel, best known for his roles of Captain Von Trapp in the stage version of the "The Sound of Music" and as Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof," which he has played on the stage over 2,000 times - more than any other actor.