Creation, Retaliation, Chosenness and Faith – Four Challenges to the Bible

Join us for a compelling four-part series with Rabbi Dr. Rafi Zarum, based on his recent award-winning book, Questioning Belief. In this thought-provoking series, Rabbi Zarum tackles some of the most pressing and challenging questions at the intersection of tradition, ethics, and contemporary thought. Drawing deeply from classical Jewish sources while engaging with modern sensibilities, he offers surprising, provocative, and energizing insights that speak to today’s Jewish experience. Over four sessions, we’ll explore: what the Creation story teaches us if it’s not taken literally, the ethical dilemmas raised by King David’s actions and their relevance to modern warfare and shared responsibility, the complex and often misunderstood notion of the Jewish people as “chosen”, and what belief means in a Jewish context, even for those who question or reject the idea of God. Whether you’re a seeker, a skeptic, or a committed believer, this series will invite you into a rich and honest conversation about faith, identity, and meaning in the modern world.
Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum is Dean of the London School of Jewish Studies (LSJS) where he holds the Rabbi Sacks Chair of Modern Jewish Thought, established by the Zandan family. He lectures in Jewish philosophy and education, and trains teachers and rabbis. Rabbi Zarum has a PhD in Theoretical Physics from King’s College London and an MA in Adult Education from University College London. His rabbinic ordination was awarded by the Montefiore Kollel and Rabbi Sacks, and he is also a graduate of the Mandel Leadership School in Jerusalem. Rabbi Zarum regularly writes articles for the Jewish press and essays for journals. His recent book, Questioning Belief: Torah and Tradition in an Age of Doubt, published by Koren, was the finalist in the Rabbi Sacks Book Prize, awarded by Yeshiva University. Rabbi Zarum appears on many podcasts and recently launched his own, Big Questions of Jewish Belief.  He is an acclaimed educator who travels the globe lecturing in many Jewish communities and diverse institutions.
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The Jewish Legacy of Bulgaria and Greece 

Join us for a captivating four-part series with Jewish heritage educator Evgenia Kempinski as we explore over two thousand years of Jewish history in Bulgaria and Greece, lands where Jewish communities have contributed richly to cultural and spiritual life for centuries. From ancient settlements to vibrant Sephardic centers, this journey will trace a powerful legacy of resilience and creativity.
Session 1 – We will uncover the deep historical roots of Jewish life in these regions, from antiquity through the Ottoman era.
Session 2 – We will explore traditions, daily life, and the unique Sephardic heritage that flourished there.
Session 3 – We will turn to the 20th century to examine the rise of modern Jewish communities, their cultural impact, and the tragedy of the Holocaust.
Session 4 – We will reflect on the post-war experience and the state of Jewish life in Bulgaria and Greece today. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with a rich, lesser-known chapter of Jewish history and identity.
Evgenia Kempinski is a professional Jewish tour guide, born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia. With over fifteen years of experience guiding Jewish heritage tours in her hometown, she has developed a deep passion for uncovering and sharing the stories of the Jewish Diaspora. With her family she spent six enriching years living in Israel and now resides in Barcelona, continuing her mission to connect people with Jewish history and culture around the world. She is the founder of the Online Jewish Travel Club, a vibrant community that brings together Jews from different countries through a shared love of travel, art, and Jewish heritage.
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Every day we encounter technology’s two sides: our phones miraculously tell us how to get from place to place, connect us with far-away loved ones, and entertain us, but also distract us from the people right in front of us. Artificial Intelligence (AI) magically answers questions, produces prose, and creates art, but at what cost to our humanity and originality? Together we’ll delve into Jewish texts that offer guidance and wisdom for grappling with very modern conundrums.
Shawn Fields-Meyer serves as a Division Rabbi for Milken Community School in Los Angeles, working collaboratively with students, faculty and the larger community toward meaningful programs of learning, spirituality and creativity.  Rabbi Shawn runs Ruach Nashim, an annual Women’s Spirituality Retreat held at Camp Ramah in Ojai. She is the co-author of the book A Day Apart: Shabbat at Home.  She has taught rabbinical students at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies for over two decades. A native of Portland, Oregon, Rabbi Shawn enjoys hiking, reading biographies, novels, and poetry, and creating visual arts. Her favorite poet is Mary Oliver. She received her B.A. in English Literature from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.A. in Hebrew Letters from the University of  Judaism, and Rabbinic ordination at the Jewish Theological Seminary.
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In recent years, the Israeli art scene has been buzzing with a renewed fascination for Jewish tradition, spirituality, and religion. But is this resurgence merely a passing trend, or does it signal a deeper cultural and social transformation? As artists increasingly engage with religious themes, whether through reverence, critique, or reinvention, they are reshaping the visual and conceptual language of contemporary Israeli art. To unravel the intricate relationship between Jewish and Israeli identity, we’ll start with a historical backdrop before diving into the key artistic shifts of the past fifteen years. Through this journey, we’ll uncover the powerful stories these works tell about the evolving soul of Israeli society today.
Shirel Horovitz is a multidisciplinary artist creating creating sculptures, drawings, videos and installations exploring the relations between people and place. She earned her BFA from Bezalel Academy in Jerusalem, and her MA from the interdisciplinary art program in Tel Aviv University. Her works were exhibited in museums and galleries in Israel and the US. She is recipient of the Rabinovich prize 2018 and the Weisman art grant for 2023, and she is currently working towards a solo show opening in The Herzliya Artists’ Residence Gallery in 2025. Alongside her art practice, Shirel is the creative director of CSP, a lecturer, teaches art and is an art consultant to a variety of private groups and institutions.
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