Israeli scholar to tour Australia

Renowned Israeli scholar Associate Professor Samuel Lebens will appear in Sydney and Perth in July for a series of public events exploring Jewish philosophy.

Lebens, from the University of Haifa, is the author of six books, nearly 60 scholarly publications and a former student of the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks.

The Great Synagogue chief minister Rabbi Dr Benjamin Elton said, “Lebens is a superstar in the world of Jewish philosophy and ethics. His lectures will be highly stimulating, providing both intellectual engagement and spiritual inspiration.”

Lebens will anchor three major events which are being presented by the University of Notre Dame Australia’s Centre for the History of Philosophy (CHOP).

At the John and Anna Belfer Oration on the History of Jewish Philosophy on July 1 in Sydney, he will discuss “Is free will an illusion?” exploring questions of human agency, divine influence and moral responsibility.

The event is co-presented by CHOP and The Great Synagogue with generous support of the Belanna Trust.

Lebens will also deliver a four-part lecture series in Sydney titled: “After Bondi – A light in dark times: Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’ Jewish vision of hope.”

The series will offer intellectual and spiritual insight following the Bondi massacre. Established as an initiative of AJN publishers Ruth and Robert Magid, it will be presented in partnership with The Central Synagogue.

In Perth, Lebens will present the Rabbi David and Aviva Freilich Oration on July 9.

“These events offer an opportunity to reflect on profound questions with clarity, depth and hope,” CHOP co-director Professor David Bronstein said.

Bookings: John and Anna Belfer Oration (Sydney): greatsynagogue.org.au/belfer26

Lecture series (Sydney): events.humanitix.com/rabbi-sacks-jewish-vision-of-hope

Rabbi David and Aviva Freilich Oration (Perth): thephc.com.au/event-details/rabbi-dr-samuel-lebens-lecture-is-free-will-an-illusion