'Global Day of Jewish Learning' Celebrates Modern Take on Ancient Texts

NEW YORK, Nov. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- On November 7, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, renowned teacher, philosopher, social critic and prolific author, will complete his monumental 45 volume translation and commentary on the Talmud, the central text of Judaism, and speak live from Jerusalem (9:00 PM Israel time, 2:00 PM Eastern, 11:00 AM Pacific) on www.TheGlobalDay.com.

"Torah is the shared inheritance of all the Jewish people.  It does not belong [to an elite group].  We have a responsibility to share our common heritage with all Jews.  We each get an equal share," says Rabbi Steinsaltz.

Marking Rabbi Steinsaltz's phenomenal achievement – nothing close has been accomplished since the Middle Ages – 650 simultaneous programs are planned by over 360 independent communities in 45 different countries on 6 continents, including dialogues, study sessions, viewing parties and communal events.  The complete list of events is at http://bit.ly/Global_Day_Events.

"This is a truly historic achievement which is why so many diverse Jewish communities from every corner of the world are excited to be involved," said Ilan Kaufthal, Chair of the Global Day of Jewish Learning.  

MEDIA RESOURCES:

Videos: http://bit.ly/Global_Day_Videos

Fact Sheet: http://bit.ly/Global_Day_Fact_Sheet  

Photo of The Steinsaltz Talmud: http://bit.ly/Global_Day_Talmud

Photo of Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz: http://bit.ly/Steinsaltz_Photo  

Biography of Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz: http://bit.ly/Steinsaltz_Bio

GLOBAL DAY PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

United States

Miami, FL:  The Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education is planning the largest Global Day program outside of Israel, with more than 3,500 people expected to participate.  It will feature multiple events in three regions of Dade County spanning a 100-mile radius.  

New York, NY:  The 92nd Street Y will present a full-day of programming with notable participants including Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Rabbi Harold Kushner, Rabbi Arthur Waskow, Rabbi Leon Morris, Rabbi Jennifer Krause, Rabbi David Ellenson, Richard Joel and Arnie Eisen.

New Orleans, LA: The 2010 General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America will exhibit photographs by Caryl Englander, Chair of The International Center of Photography, who travelled the globe capturing the energy and intensity of the deep connection people have to the Rabbi's work.  

Washington, DC:  The historic Sixth & I Synagogue will host "Meet the Text," during which David Gregory of NBC News' Meet the Press will share how Jewish study impacted him.

International

Brazil: In Rio de Janeiro, Global Day will culminate a two-month, Talmud-focused educational initiative with a series of classes in two community centers.

Canada: In Montreal, The Bronfman Jewish Education Centre will show the live feed of Rabbi Steinsaltz's address from Jerusalem as part of a full day of interactive Talmud study in both French and English.

The Former Soviet Union: Global Day's main overseas partner, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) is supporting activities in more than 80 cities and towns in 50 communities.

Germany:  One of Berlin's many events is a dynamic program by Limmud that will draw more than 400 Jewish leaders and provide translators so that German, Russian, and English speakers can engage each other.

The Netherlands: In Amstelveen, A mixed group of Jews and non-Jews will come together at CRESCAS Jewish Educational Centre to study Talmud and view the broadcast of the siyyum in Jerusalem.

Sweden: In Stockholm, Paideia, The European Institute for Jewish Studies in Sweden, will hold a special program for the young leaders in its One-Year Jewish Studies Program who, under the instruction of visiting European and Israeli faculty, are being steeped in Jewish culture and activism.

Rabbi Steinsaltz and key Global Day figures are available for interviews and comments.  For more information, visit www.TheGlobalDay.com.

SOURCE Global Day of Jewish Learning