Past Events
Opinion Survey
In summer 2000, Jews and the American Public Square released the findings of a major public opinion survey on Jewish and general opinion on religion in the public square. The survey, conducted by Prof. Steven M. Cohen of Hebrew University, compares the views of American Jews and their leaders with a broad sample of non-Jewish opionion. For a free copy of the survey, write or call the Center for Jewish Community Studies.
Regional Seminars
In 2000, the Jews and the American Public Square project conducted four regional
seminars for Jewish communal professionals and lay
leaders. Invited participants studied the history of
American Jewish thought and activism regarding
religion in the public square, and conversed about the
place of religion in contemporary American public
life. Seminars were held in Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Miami Beach, led by Prof. Alan Mittleman, Director of Jews and the American Public Square, and
by participating scholars.
Symposia - 2002
Jews and the American Public Square:
Judaism and Civic Participation in American Life
A Symposium at Boston College
March 12, 2002
Co-sponsored by the Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Boston, and the Center for Jewish Community Studies/Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs
For much of American Jewish history, Jews, like other Americans, believed that religion played a positive role in the nation's public life. Jews believed that religious commitment led to a strong, public-spirited citizenry and a vibrant civil society. They agreed that religion was necessary for the success of a free republic. Jews differed from Christian Americans only in their assertion that Judaism, in addition to Christianity, contributed to the public good.
The Jewish public voice for much of the past century, however, has sounded an alarm about the dangerous potential for discrimination and incivility were religion to be "excessively entangled" with governmental or, more broadly, public institutions. This focus has shunted Jews away from believing that religion serves the public good. The community has forgotten its earlier convictions and has failed to develop a rich discourse on religion as a force for civic engagement and social amelioration. Yet current circumstances demand Jewish attention:
The events of September 11 have led to deepened reflection on the "American way of life." As Americans defend their nation, they also search for the fundamental principles that constitute the republic. Religious liberty is chief among these, but what does it mean for us today?
Senator Lieberman's campaign focused attention on Jewish views of religion in public life. Lieberman's religious language played better among non-Jews than Jews. What is wrong with this picture?
How should Jews relate to proposals such as public funding for Faith-Based Organizations? To tuition vouchers for parochial schools?
This symposium features three leading Jewish thinkers on issues of religion and public life. They will focus on how Jews do--and should--engage in the public square. A distinguished Catholic activist will respond to the panel.
Speakers
Prof. Michael Broyde, Director
Program on Law and Religion
Emory University Law School
Dr. Michael Gottsegen
CLAL: The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership
New York
Prof. David Novak
J. Richard and Dorothy Schiff Chair of Jewish Studies
University of Toronto
Kevin Hasson, Esq., President
The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty
Washington, D.C.
Jews and the American Public Square:
The Ethics, Law, and Practice of Jewish Civic Engagement
A Symposium at the University of Southern California
April 11, 2002
Co-sponsored by the Casden Institute for the Study of the Jewish Role in American Life, the Los Angeles Board of Rabbis, and the Center for Jewish Community Studies/Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs
For much of American Jewish history, Jews, like other Americans, believed that religion played a positive role in the nation's public life. Jews believed that religious commitment led to a strong, public-spirited citizenry and a vibrant civil society. They agreed that religion was necessary for the success of a free republic. Jews differed from Christian Americans only in their assertion that Judaism, in addition to Christianity, contributed to the public good.
The Jewish public voice for much of the past century, however, has sounded an alarm about the dangerous potential for discrimination and incivility were religion to be "excessively entangled" with governmental or, more broadly, public institutions. This focus has shunted Jews away from believing that religion serves the public good. The community has forgotten its earlier convictions and has failed to develop a rich discourse on religion as a force for civic engagement and social amelioration. Yet current circumstances demand Jewish attention:
The events of September 11 have led to deepened reflection on the "American way of life." As Americans defend their nation, they also search for the fundamental principles on which the republic is based. Religious liberty is chief among these, but what does it mean for us today?
A major reformation of social welfare policy, marked by a new openness to the role of Faith-Based Organizations is now in the works. Should the Jewish community oppose or endorse Charitable Choice?
Parochial schools outperform failed inner city public schools and tuition voucher schemes that would enable parents to choose them, while legally controversial, continue to gain ground. Vouchers have found advocates among those in the Jewish community who favor increased emphasis on day schools. Who has the better argument?
Senator Lieberman's campaign focused attention on Jewish views of religion in public life. Lieberman's religious language played better among non-Jews than Jews. Is anything wrong with this picture?
This symposium features four leading Jewish scholars on issues of religion and public life. The panelists, a legal scholar, an historian, a theologian, and a former member of Congress will focus on how Jews do--and should--engage in the public square. The event is free and open to the public.
Speakers
Prof. Erwin Chemerinsky
Sydney M. Irmas Professor of Public Interest Law, Legal Ethics, and Political Science
Law School of the University of Southern California
Prof. Marc Dollinger
Fellow, Center for the Study of Religion, Princeton University, and
Professor, Pasadena City College
Prof. Elliot Dorff, Rector
University of Judaism
Prof. Mickey Edwards
John Quincy Adams Lecturer in Legislative Practice
John F. Kennedy School of Government
Harvard University
A Symposium at the Brookings Institution
May 9, 2002
Co-sponsored by the Ethics and Public Policy Center and the Center for Jewish Community Studies/Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs
For much of American Jewish history, Jews, like other Americans, believed that religion played a positive role in the nation's public life. Jews believed that religious commitment led to a strong, public-spirited citizenry and a vibrant civil society. They agreed that religion was necessary for the success of a free republic. Jews differed from Christian Americans only in their assertion that Judaism, in addition to Christianity, contributed to the public good.
The Jewish public voice for much of the past century, however, has sounded an alarm about the dangerous potential for discrimination and incivility were religion to be "excessively entangled" with governmental or, more broadly, public institutions. This focus has shunted Jews away from believing that religion serves the public good. The community has forgotten its earlier convictions and has failed to develop a rich discourse on religion as a force for civic engagement and social amelioration. Recent events and issues have called this inattention into question:
Senator Lieberman's campaign focused attention on Jewish views of religion in public life. Lieberman's religious language played better among non-Jews than Jews. What is wrong with this picture?
The events of September 11 have led to deepened reflection on the "American way of life." As Americans defend their nation, they also search for the fundamental principles that constitute the republic. Religious liberty is chief among these, but what does it mean for us today?
How should Jews relate to proposals such as public funding for Faith-Based Organizations? To tuition vouchers for parochial schools?
This symposium features four leading scholars on issues of religion and public life. The panelists will focus on how Jews do--and should--engage the public square.
Speakers
Prof. William Galston, Director
Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy
University of Maryland
Prof. Gertrude Himmelfarb
Professor Emerita of History
Graduate School of the City University of New York
Prof. Barry Kosmin, Director
Jewish Policy Research Institute
London
Prof. Alan Wolfe, Director
Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life
Boston College
