Rabbi to present series ‘Partnering with God’
Rabbi Margaret Frisch Klein of Congregation Kneseth Israel will present a three-part series titled, “Partnering with God,” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, Feb. 6, 13, and 27, at the synagogue, 330 Division St. in Elgin. The public is invited to attend all or part of the series. There is no charge.
The Feb. 6 session, titled “Who is this G-d We Call One?,” will be an interactive look at classical Jewish theologies. It will attempt to answer: Is G-d all knowing, all powerful, all good? Compassionate? Loving? Vengeful? The Creator? The Redeemer? The Timekeeper? What language about G-d are you most comfortable with? Can we partner with G-d?
On Feb. 13, Rabbi Klein will be joined by Rabbi Nina Mizrahi to discuss “Theology as a Lifelong Journey.” This segment will address the joys and challenges of searching for G-d and for meaning throughout one’s lifetime. Rabbi Mizrahi is the director of JCC Chicago’s Pritzker Center for Jewish Education. She has dedicated her rabbinate to helping people think in new ways about what it means to live a Jewish life.
The Feb. 27 segment is titled, “This is My G-d.” What can we say as individuals now about this G-d. What are we comfortable saying? What do we do when we have doubts? What does it mean to partner with G-d? Do we want to? During this session, there will be a discussion and an opportunity to begin writing a personal theology.
Rabbi Margaret Frisch Klein is a graduate of the Academy for Jewish Religion, and has been the rabbi at CKI for the past 18 months. As the daughter of a Reform mother and an Orthodox-raised atheist father both of whom were scientists, Rabbi Klein understands that there is a wide range of acceptable belief within Judaism’s 5,000-year history.
For information, call Rabbi Klein at (847) 741-5656 or www.ckielgin.org. Congregation Kneseth Israel serves the diverse Jewish community of the greater Fox Valley area. It offers weekly services, a religious school, observance of all life cycle events, and a variety of additional programming.