Edah was a Modern Orthodox Jewish organization, generally associated with the liberal wing of Orthodox Judaism in the United States and with the Religious Zionism movement of Israel . Its headquarters were located in Manhattan , New York City .
8-540: Edah was founded in 1997 in response to what its founding director, Rabbi Saul Berman , called "the separatist trend in Modern Orthodoxy." It promised in its mission statement to "give voice to the ideology and values of modern Orthodoxy and to educate and empower the community to address its concerns." Edah organized conferences, fellowships, and adult education programs, primarily in the New York metropolitan area, and to
16-472: A lesser extent around the world. It also published the Edah Journal , an academic journal on Modern Orthodoxy and contemporary issues in the religious community. The New York Times reported that Yeshiva University's biology department chairman , an ordained rabbi, "denounced Edah as 'outside the pale of Judaism'." In July 2006, Edah announced plans to close down its operations as a stand-alone entity. In
24-547: A news release, leaders of the organization claimed that it had made significant achievements, but given limited financial resources available, a tactical decision was made so that its goals would be able to continue through other means. After winding down operations, Berman took on an administrative position at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah (YCT), an Open Orthodox rabbinical school in New York City. YCT also assumed Edah’s journal, website, and audio-visual library. The Edah Journal
32-859: A seminar in Jewish Law. From 1995 to 1997, he served as Scholar in Residence at the JCC on the Palisades in New Jersey. In 1997, Berman became Director of Edah, a new organization devoted to the invigoration of modern Orthodox ideology and religious life. Due to financial constraints, Edah was absorbed into the Yeshivat Chovevei Torah , at which Berman took on an administrative position. He now serves as an associate professor at Yeshiva University and teaches at Columbia University Law School . Berman contributed to
40-517: The University of California, Berkeley , where he studied with David Daube . He spent two years studying mishpat ivri in Israel at Hebrew University of Jerusalem and at Tel Aviv University . Berman was the rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel (Berkeley, California) from 1963 to 1969, of Young Israel of Brookline from 1969 to 1971. In 1971, following his departure from Young Israel of Brookline Berman
48-464: The adult education program, the creation of an extensive social action program based on frum commitments, the growth of the Synagogue's Women's Tefillah Group, and the creation of new outreach programs to the unaffiliated. In 1990, Berman returned to academic life, as associate professor of Jewish Studies at Stern College, and as an adjunct professor at Columbia University School of Law, where he teaches
56-600: Was appointed Chairman of the Department of Judaic Studies of Stern College for Women of Yeshiva University. Under his leadership over the next thirteen years, it grew into the largest undergraduate Department of Jewish Studies in the United States. In 1984, he accepted the position as senior rabbi of Lincoln Square Synagogue in Manhattan , New York where he served until 1990. During those years, he spearheaded an expansion of
64-420: Was rebranded as Meorot: A Forum of Modern Orthodox Discourse and its publication continued by YCT. Saul Berman Saul J. Berman (born April 30, 1939) is an American scholar and Modern Orthodox rabbi . Berman was ordained at Yeshiva University , from which he also received his B.A. and his M.H.L. He completed a degree in law, a J.D., at New York University , and an M.A. in political science at
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