Rabbi Michael Cohen

Rabbi

Rabbi Michael M. Cohen is a graduate of the University of Vermont where he received the History Award, and graduated in 1980 with honors for his work on Lenin’s Theory of Self-Determination and the Muslims of the Soviet Union. Rabbi Cohen received ordination from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 1990. He was the Rabbi of the Israel Congregation in Manchester Center, Vermont from 1990-2000. He has also served as the President of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association. Rabbi Cohen was a founding faculty member of The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies (www.arava.org) located on Kibbutz Ketura, in 1996, while on sabbatical from the Israel Congregation. He returned to the Arava Institute in 2000.

From 2001- 2006 he served as the Executive Director of The Arava Institute North America. In 2002 he co-founded the Green Zionist Alliance, the first Environmental Zionist party to run in the World Zionist Congress elections. At the Institute he works on Palestinian Student recruitment, development, and other projects. He also teaches two classes: Genesis As a Key to Environmental Thought and Moses: A Study of Leadership and Environmental Wisdom. He is the author of numerous articles and has recently completed his first novel, Einstein's Rabbi: A Tale of Science and the Soul.

Fee (Explanation):

Availability: Contact JNF Speakers Bureau for availability.

Topics:

• Judaism and the Environment
  
• Why the Environment is a core Zionist Value
  
• The Environment as a Bridge to Peace in the Middle East: The JNF supported Arava Institue for Environmental Studies on Kibbutz Ketura
  
• Insights into Judaism
  
• Torah Commentary