Scholar to speak at Temple Aliyah

Temple Aliyah will host Dr. Daniel Gordis as its 2007 Scholar-In-Residence Fri. and Sat., Nov. 9 and 10 at the temple, 6025 Valley Circle Blvd. in Woodland Hills.

A shabbat fusion service will take place at 6:45 p.m. Nov. 9, followed by Gordis speaking on "The year 2048: Can Israel survive to the age of 100?"

During the 9:15 a.m. shabbat worship Sat., Nov. 10, Gordis will speak on "Why do we exist? Rebeccah's question; God's answer." The service will be followed by a complimentary kiddush luncheon, when Gordis will discuss "Memory and mitzvah: why the past is so important to the possibility of a Jewish future." There is no fee for lunch but reservations are requested.

A program called "Aliyah After Dark" will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 10. Gordis will present "Why God is making a comeback: Modern Jews and the religious search for meaning." The program is by reservation only and is $60 per person.

Gordis served as vice president for public affairs and community outreach at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles. He was the founding dean of the Ziegler Rabbinical School and assistant professor of philosophy. He is the senior vice president and senior Fellow of the Shalem Center in Jerusalem.

He has published articles on issues on the future of Jewish life in America and Jewish law and ethics in several journals. His latest book is "Coming Together, Coming Apart: A Memoir of Heartbreak and Promise in Israel."

For information or reservations," call Lori Marx-Rubiner, program director, at (818) 3463545.