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THE FREEHOF INSTITUTE OF PROGRESSIVE HALAKHAH
The Freehof Institute of Progressive Halakhah is a creative research center devoted to studying and defining the progressive character of the halakhah in accordance with the principles and theology of Reform Judaism. It seeks to establish the ideological basis of Progressive halakhah, and its application to daily life. The Institute fosters serious studies, and helps scholars in various portions of the world to work together for a common cause. It provides an ongoing forum through symposia, and publications including the quarterly newsletter, HalakhaH, published under the editorship of Walter Jacob, in the United States. The foremost halakhic scholars in the Reform, Liberal, and Progressive rabbinate along with some Conservative and Orthodox colleagues as well as university professors serve on our Academic Council.
This collection of essays is the product of the symposia held in Atlanta and Pittsburgh in 1995 and 1996. This book follows the volumes DYNAMIC JEWISH LAW; Progressive Halakhah - Essence and Application (1991), RABBINIC -LAY RELATIONS IN JEWISH LAW (1993), CONVERSION TO JUDAISM IN JEWISH LAW (l994), DEATH AND EUTHANASIA INJEWISH LAW (1995) and THE FETUS AND FERTILITY IN JEWISH LAW (1995), ISRAEL AND THE DIASPORA IN JEWISH LAW (1997). It is part of a series whose subjects are diverse and the approaches taken by the authors are equally so. We wish to encourage wide ranging discussions of contemporary and historic themes.
About the author
Walter Jacob was Senior Scholar of Rodef Shalom Congregation, Pittsburgh, Pennslyvania. He also served as President of the Freehof Institute of Progressive Halakhah. He is the author and editor of a number of titles including American Reform Responsa (1983), Liberal Judaism and Halakhah (1988) and Not by Birth Alone, Conversion to Judaism (1997).
Moshe Zemer (1932-2011) was Director of the Freehof Insittue of Progressive Halakhah and a founder of the Movement for Progressive Judaism in Israel. He contributed to numerous articles on halakhah in the Israeli press and scientific journals and was author of The Sane Halakhah [Hebrew], (1993) which was translated into both German and English.
