Annual Lecture Series

May and Samuel Rudin Lecture Series
The May and Samuel Rudin Lecture Series at The Jewish Center was established by Mr. Jack Rudin in memory of his beloved parents, longtime members and leaders of The Jewish Center. It was designed to provide the New York City community with the opportunity to hear from renowned religious leaders, prominent public figures and outstanding scholars on issues of critical importance to contemporary society and religion.

Our most recent speakers have included: Yossi Klein Halevi, David Gregory, a television journalist and the former moderator of NBC News' Sunday morning talk show, Meet the Press. Niall Ferguson, Laurence A. Tisch Professor of History at Harvard University, Daniel Libeskind, B.Arch. M.A. BDA AIA, an international figure in architecture and urban design, David Brooks, an American political and cultural commentator, Mosab Hassan Yousef, Senator Joseph Lieberman, Senator Cory Booker, Dr. Eric Kandel, Nobel Laureate, Lord Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth; Ambassador Yehuda Avner, Israeli diplomat; The Honorable John Ashcroft, former U.S. Attorney General; Mayim Bialik, American actress, author and neuroscientist; General Colin Powell, former Secretary of State; Lee Bollinger, President of Columbia University; John Sexton, President of New York University; Richard Joel, President of Yeshiva University; Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop of New York; Rabbi Norman Lamm, Chancellor of Yeshiva University; and Governor Thomas Kean, Chairman of the 9/11 Commission.

David Kagan Memorial Lecture Series
This speakers series is sponsored by the Kagan Family and the David Kagan Foundation in memory of David Kagan. The David Kagan Foundation was established to further David’s vision of instilling peace around the world, with a special focus on the Middle East and Israel.  

Past speakers have included: Rabbi Binyamin Lau, Dr. Deborah Lipstadt, Glenn Cohen, Dr. Robert Satloff, Professor Reuven Hazan, Benjamin Orbach, Bret Stephens and may others.

Moshe Green Tochnit Elul
Moshe Green was a prominent leader and long-time member of our community. He was an officer of the Center and served as our Chairman of the Board for decades. As a Jewish leader and philanthropist, he had a major impact on advancing Jewish Education, both in Israel and in the Diaspora. Involved in a number of different Religious Zionist institutions and Torah U'Mada projects, Moshe Green was and continues to be a role model for our entire community. This annual series is sponsored by the Green family, and we are honored to perpetuate his name and legacy in the Center that was graced by his presence and leadership throughout his life. Tochnit Elul is a teshuvah and tefillah education series for the High Holy Days in memory of Moshe Green, z"l.

Hanno Mott Lecture on Jewish Ethics
The Annual Hanno Mott Lecture on Jewish Ethics which takes place each Spring is dedicated to exploring the intersection of Jewish Law and secular ethics. Previous lectures have addressed the End of Life debate, the religious and social implication of cloning, and the intersection of religious values and democratic law.

Martha Sonnenschein Memorial Lecture
For more information about our Martha Sonnenschein lecture, please see our Spring Brochure or contact Rabbi Kalman Laufer.

For more information about the classes or to sponsor or begin a speakers series, please contact The Jewish Center office.