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Conservative Judaism/Jewish beliefs on death, suffering and love

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Expert: - 7/21/2004


Question
I am a teacher in a Catholic School in Sydney, Australia, teaching 17 & 18 year old students "Studies of Religion"
One of our topics is "Sacred Writings and Stories" with an emphasis on the following themes: Death, Suffering, Love.
We are looking at how these issues are treated in Christianity and Judaism.
Could you give me some thoughts on Jewish beliefs and Sacred Writings on these topics?
Thank you

Answer
Dear Phil,

Thanks for writing and I wish I could help.

The range of views, ideas from the Hebrew Bible through current Jewish philosophy and theology is so extensive that it is impossible to summarize.

I would commend to you my teacher's work, "The Death of Death" by Professor Neil Gillman from which to further prepare and also use his bibliography.

Best wishes and good luck

Rabbi Dov

Conservative Judaism

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Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

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Write to me with questions about Jewish customs and law, history, philosophy and tradition for answers from a Conservative perspective or conversion. I am a graduate of The Jewish Theological Seminary and a member of the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly. Having served in congregational pulpits since 1970, I now am President of the Foundation For Family Education, Inc. a non-profit educational endeavor. I established it to create new formats of hands-on programs and provide free educational downloads at www.jewishfreeware.org. In addition to general informational questions I welcome your questions about programs for social action, outreach to dual-faith families, inter-faith clergy projects, healing services, education for conversion, adult education for the congregation and the community. If you have questions about Informal and Formal Education I am ready to share my extensive experience with Youth Activities, Camping and Religious School/Hebrew High School on a congregational, community and national/international level.

Experience

I have served on the National Youth Commission for more than 25 years and serve on the Boards of the Conservative Zionist movement MERCAZ and the World Council of Synagogues. I have always dual-families and taught candidates for conversion with a great sense of fulfillment. I am very proud of 25 years on the Jewish camping staff of Camps Ramah. My greatest source of pride is my family! Ask me about them, please!:-)

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