Past Speakers

Beginning in 1987, the lecture has explored themes of commonality and difference between the Jewish and Christian traditions with leading scholars, writers, and theologians. Upon the 25th anniversary, this rich history of academic inquiry and spiritual exploration provided the backdrop to embark on a wider vision of conversations. In 2011, the lecture series was renamed the Weinstein-Rosenthal Forum on Faith, Ethics, and Global Society. As part of the new vision, the Forum was dedicated to furthering our engagement with global faith traditions and exploring how these traditions inform our understanding of the world around us.

The University is deeply grateful for the continued dedication of the Weinstein and Rosenthal families. We look forward to the dynamic conversations the Forum brings to our campus community each year.

 

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  • Speakers: 2020-2029

    2023
    Robert D. Putnam
    Professor and author on public policy and political science
    The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again

    2022
    Isabel Wilkerson 
    Award-winning author 
    Caste: The Origins of our Discontents 

    2020/2021
    Claudia Rankine
    Award-Winning Poet and Author
    The Making of Citizen: How to be an American in ’Post-Racial’ Society 

  • Speakers: 2010-2019

    2019
    Andrew Solomon
    Writer and lecturer on politics, culture and psychology
    Radical Compassion

    2018
    Carrie Newcomer, Parker J. Palmer, and Gary Walters
    What We Need Is Here: Hope, Hard Times, and the Human Possibility

    2017
    Krista Tippett
    Public radio show host, author, journalist
    The Adventure of Civility

    2016
    Dr. Paul Farmer
    Medical anthropologist and physician
    To Heal the World

    2015
    Barbara Brown Taylor
    Bestselling author, professor, and Episcopal priest
    Learning to Walk in the Dark

    2014
    James Barrat
    Documentary film producer
    Our Final Invention: Artificial Intelligence and the End of the Human Era

    2013
    Dr. Michael Sandel
    Harvard University
    What Money Can’t Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets

    2012
    Dr. John W. Kinney and The Rev. Benjamin P. Campbell
    Virginia Union University and Richmond Hill
    From Hurt to Healing: Forgiveness and Hope in Metropolitan Richmond

    2011
    Eboo Patel
    Interfaith Youth Core
    Acts of Faith: Interfaith Leadership in a Time of Global Religious Crisis

    2010
    Dr. Peter J. Gomes
    Harvard Divinity School
    Joy and Delight: A Biblical Vision of Human Sexuality

  • Speakers: 2000-2009

    2009
    Dr. Jon D. Levenson
    Harvard Divinity School
    The Binding of Isaac and the Crucifixion of Jesus

    2008
    Dr. Mary C. Boys
    Union Theological Seminary in City of New York
    Questions That Touch the Heart of our Faith: The Cross in Light of Jewish-Christian Dialogue

    2007
    Dr. Amy-Jill Levine
    Vanderbilt University Divinity School
    Hearing the Parables through Jewish Ears

    2006
    Dr. Marcus J. Borg
    Oregon State University
    Jesus: From Jewish Mystic to Christian Lord

    2005
    Rabbi Harold S. Kushner
    Rabbi laureate of Temple Israel of Boston
    What Adam and Eve Can Teach Judaism and Christianity

    2004
    Dr. Elaine Pagels
    Princeton University
    Beyond Belief: an Evening with Elaine Pagels

    2003
    Bruce Feiler
    Author and commentator
    Can We All Get Along? Building Bridges Among the Religions in the Twenty-First Century

    2002
    Dr. Charles A. Kimball
    Wake Forest University
    Claiming the Promises of God: Obstacles & Opportunities for Children of Abraham

    2001
    Rabbi Jonathan Pearl
    Jewish Televimages Resource Center
    Popular Television’s Jewish Images and Jewish-Christian Relations

    2000
    Martin Goldsmith
    National Public Radio’s Performance Today
    The Inextinguishable Symphony: A True Story of Music and Love in Nazi Germany

  • Speakers: 1990-1999

    1999
    Elie Wiesel
    Holocaust survivor, Recipient of Nobel Peace Prize
    Understanding Each Other

    1998
    Karen Armstrong
    Former Catholic Nun, Religion scholar, Author
    Jerusalem: Landscape and Memory

    1997
    Dr. Marc Saperstein
    George Washington University
    Jews and Christians: Intolerance and Creative Competition in the Middle Ages

    1996
    Dr. Martin E. Marty
    University of Chicago
    Jewish-Christian Relations: A Half-Century of Progress, Problems, and Promise

    1995
    Rabbi Burton L. Visotzky
    The Jewish Theological Seminary of America
    Jots and Tittles: Jewish and Christian Interpretation of Scripture

    1994
    Dr. Walter J. Harrelson
    Wake Forest University
    Christian Readings and Misreadings of Hebrew Scriptures

    1993
    Dr. Deborah E. Lipstadt
    Emory University
    Denying the Holocaust:: The Secret Assault on Truth and Memory

    1992
    The Right Reverend John S. Spong
    Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Newark
    The Gospels as Examples of Christian Midrash

    1991
    Rabbi David N. Saperstein
    Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
    Religion in American Public and Political Life

    1990
    Father Robert F. Drinan, S.J.
    Georgetown University Law Center
    Jewish and Christian Relationships in the 1990s

  • Speakers: 1987-1989

    1989
    Rabbi A. James Rudin
    American Jewish Committee
    The Jewish and Christian Stake in Religious Pluralism

    1988
    Dr. James A. Sanders
    Ancient Biblical Manuscript Center for Preservation and Research at Claremont
    One God and the Bible

    1987
    Dr. Michael J. Cook
    Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
    Evolving Jewish Views of Jesus