Scientists in Synagogues

Congregation Shearith Israel is delighted to have been selected as a winner in the Scientists in Synagogues Initiative and is pleased to present a series of programming in 2018 – 2019 entitled “The Science of Doing Good”. The series of discussions will connect science and Judaism, as well as prepare the community for the kinds of synagogue initiatives in community service, environmental stewardship, and social justice that are the core of our identity.

The project is a grass-roots program to offer Jews opportunities to explore the most interesting and pressing questions surrounding Judaism and science. Fiscally sponsored and housed at Clal– The National Center for Learning and Leadership, CSI’s team is led by Jonathan Crane, Joshua Weitz, Paul Root Wolpe and Rabbi Ari Kaiman.

Sunday, October 7 – 7:30 – 9pm @ Shearith Israel 

INCULCATING ALTRUISM Philippe Rochat, Professor of Psychology (Emory) will discuss with Marshall Duke such questions as: How do we develop and/or inculcate altruism? When and how does selflessness arise in the human mind? How, ultimately, can we raise good kids?

Sunday, December 9 – 7:30 – 9pm @ Shearith Israel  

PHILANTHROPY PANEL A panel conversation on the ethics of philanthropy. Jay Kaiman . Marcus Foundation Alicia Phillipp Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta AJ Robinson Central Atlanta Progress Jennifer Hill . ArtsBridge Foundation

Sunday, January 27 – 7:30 – 9pm @ Shearith Israel  

EVOLUTION OF FAIRNESS Sarah Brosnan, Professor of Psychology, Philosophy and Neuroscience (Georgia State University) will discuss with Jonathan Crane about studying aspects of fairness in other, non-verbal, species, and the evolution of fairness in both non-human primates and homo sapiens.

Sunday, March 24 – 7:30 – 9pm @ Shearith Israel 

SOCIAL MICROBES AND SYMBIOSIS Nicole Gerardo, Professor of Biology (Emory) will discuss with Joshua Weitz (Georgia Tech) the nature of competition, cooperation and symbiosis among microbes, between them and host organisms, and the biological roots of doing well by and for neighbors.

Sunday, May 5 – 7:30 – 9pm @ Shearith Israel 

GLOBAL GOOD: SOCIAL SCIENCE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE Andra Gillespie, Professor of Political Science (Emory) will discuss with Paul Root Wolpe race relations, social justice, solidarity and the politics of doing good in the contemporary age.