Rabbi Dr. Rachel Mikva currently serves as the Herman E. Schaalman Chair in Jewish Studies and Senior Faculty Fellow of the InterReligious Institute at Chicago Theological Seminary. The Institute and the Seminary work at the cutting edge of theological education, training religious leaders of diverse faiths who can build bridges across cultural and religious difference for the critical work of social transformation.

During her 13 years as a congregational rabbi in Chicago and New York, Rabbi Mikva earned a reputation as an outspoken advocate for justice; she inspired her communities to reach deeply into the roots of Jewish learning and living as they strove together to repair the world. With academic expertise in rabbinic literature and the history of scriptural interpretation, her courses and research address a range of Jewish and comparative studies, with a special interest in the intersections of scripture, culture, and ethics.

Her new book, Being Human: Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Perspectives, will be published by Georgetown University Press. Rabbi Mikva is involved in public discourse on critical issues of the day, contributing to USA Today, CNN, Washington Post, LA Times, Sojourners, and other online media outlets.

We will have several opportunities to learn from Rabbi Dr. Rachel Mikva over the weekend:

DANGEROUS RELIGIOUS IDEAS
Friday, October 24, 6:15 PM, Sanctuary* & Livestream
Rabbi Dr. Rachel Mikva will speak during our Erev Shabbat service. All religious ideas are dangerous, including your own — even those that stand at the heart of faith. Because most religious traditions have always understood this peril, they've transmitted tools of self-critique. What does it mean for religion today?
During the service, everyone with a birthday in October will be invited up to the bimah for a special birthday blessing.

ONEG SHABBAT & DISCUSSION
Friday, October 24, 7:30 PM, Social Hall
Every opportunity for us to gather together is only made better with the presence of a little nosh. Following the Erev Shabbat service, come together to enjoy some light dessert refreshments and discussion with Rabbi Dr. Mikva.

TORAH STUDY: PARASHAT NOACH
Saturday, October 25, 9:00 AM, Beit Kehillah*, Zoom & Livestream
Rabbi Dr. Mikva will teach during Torah Study. The CCAR is developing a new Torah commentary, and Rabbi Mikva was asked to curate material (traditional and modern) for Parashat Noach. Be part of the conversation that shapes this important project!

RISK AND OPPORTUNITY FOR RELIGION IN THE PUBLIC SQUARE
Saturday, October 25, 3:30 PM, Beit Kehillah* & Livestream
The planet may become uninhabitable. Racism, misogyny, and homophobia are again normalized. Our politics are polarized. Authoritarianism is on the rise. October 7 and its aftermath fractured our alliances, intensified antisemitism, deepened division in our own communities, and thrust our values into mortal combat. While it may be tempting to turn inward and simply focus on nurturing our kehillot, there is deep wisdom in the tradition that calls us back to the public square.

Beth Am's scholar-in-residence weekend is made possible by the Saxe Family Scholar-in-Residence Endowment Fund, created by George (z”l) and Dorothy Saxe.

*These programs will be live video streamed. By entering the Sanctuary or Beit Kehillah, you give Beth Am permission to record you.