Scholar-in-residence at SOJC Sept. 20

Over Shabbat on Sept. 20, the Jewish community of Orlando will be treated to a fantastic opportunity to hear from a wonderful scholar who will be visiting our area. Dr. Walter Herzberg, assistant professor of Bible and Professional and Pastoral Skills at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America will be the guest scholar-in-residence at the Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation (SOJC) on Shabbat morning and will also join a gathering of several local synagogues for Slichot services that evening.

Following services at SOJC, which begin at 9:30 a.m., a special Kiddush luncheon will be served after which Dr. Herzberg will be presenting "Where Are You Going and Why? Using the Torah to 'Mapquest' Your Life." Childcare will be available and an RSVP to office@sojc.org is requested.

That evening, as Jewish communities around the world bring in the High Holiday season with Slichot services, Dr. Herzberg will teach on the topic of "Life. Just Choose It!" This service will also be hosted by SOJC, located at 11200 South Apopka Vineland Road Orlando, FL 32836. Refreshments will be served at 8:45 p.m., followed by Dr. Herzberg's presentation and then Slichot services.

The joint Slichot services are a follow-up to a meaningful and successful joint endeavor by Congregation Ohev Shalom, Temple Israel, Congregation Beth Am and SOJC all of whom observed Tish'a B'av together this past Aug. 4. That evening, approximately 100 people, representing all four congregations, gathered together at Congregation Ohev Shalom for a Tish'a B'av service that included participation from the clergy of each of the synagogues. "It only adds to our sense of spirituality and purpose when members of several area congregations join together for Tish'a B'av and Slichot," said Rabbi Hillel Skolnik, the rabbi of SOJC and the current president of the Greater Orlando Board of Rabbis.

"We stand and confess our sins as a community and it is a sign of the strong Jewish community that we have here in Orlando that these four synagogues have chosen to usher in the High Holiday season with one another."

Both of Dr. Herzberg's presentations are free of charge and are open to all members of the Orlando Jewish Community. This scholar-in-residence opportunity is supported by the Herald Institute for Jewish Studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America.

For more information, please contact Rabbi Hillel Skolnik at 407-239-5444 or rabbi@sojc.org.