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Science and Religion: Reviving an Ancient Partnership

Presented by Rabbi Dr. Bradley Shavit Artson
Abner and Roslyn Goldstine Dean's Chair, Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies;
Vice President, American Jewish University in Los Angeles

There is a general perception that science and religion are enemies, in a battle of winner-take-all all. But what if that is only true for some kinds of religion, and some attitudes toward science? What if there are pathways into religion that embrace science as a beloved partner, and a more humble approach to science that values its real task without overreaching.

Join us to explore the many ways that religion and science can join hands for the betterment of all humanity.


Registration is no longer open for this program.
Click on our Program Recording Archive to enjoy this program at your leisure.

Thank you to our devoted supporters for graciously sponsoring this lecture.

  • Edith and Robert Zinn

  • Mary Hammer, in memory of Arnold Hammer.

  • Rabbi Janet Ozur Bass, in memory of her parents, Norma and Herbert Ozur, who combined the best of religion and science to create a family filled with love.


Rabbi Dr. Bradley Shavit Artson holds the Abner and Roslyn Goldstine Dean's Chair of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies and is Vice President of American Jewish University in Los Angeles.

Rabbi Artson has long been a passionate advocate for social justice, human dignity, diversity, and inclusion. He wrote a book on Jewish teachings on war, peace, and nuclear annihilation in the late 80s, became a leading voice advocating for GLBT marriage and ordination in the 90s, and has published and spoken widely on environmental ethics, special needs inclusion, racial and economic justice, cultural and religious dialogue and cooperation, and working for a just and secure peace for Israel and the Middle East. A member of the Philosophy Department, he is particularly interested in theology, ethics, and the integration of science and religion.

He mentors Camp Ramah in California in Ojai and Ramah of Northern California in the Bay Area. He is also dean of the Zacharias Frankel College in Potsdam, Germany, ordaining Conservative rabbis for Europe. A frequent contributor for the Huffington Post, the Times of Israel,  and a Contributing Writer for the Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles, he has a public figure Facebook page with over 70,000 likes. Rabbi Artson is the author of 12 books and over 250 articles, most recently Renewing the Process of Creation: A Jewish Integration of Science and Spirit. Married to Elana Artson, they are the proud parents of twins, Jacob and Shira.


Thank you to Andrew R. Ammerman for sponsoring our Spring 2024 program lineup.
He dedicates the semester’s learning in loving memory of Josephine and H. Max Ammerman, Stephen C. Ammerman, and Avi West.