Rabbi Ron Isaacs

Email: isaacsrl@optonline.net
Residence: Bridgewater, New Jersey.

Biographical information

Rabbi Ron Isaacs has served as spiritual leader of Temple Sholom in Bridgewater New Jersey since 1975. He is the author of more than 100 books, including the highly acclaimed Every Person's Guide to Judaism series and the How-to Handbook for Jewish Living. Ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, he holds a doctorate in Education from Columbia University and an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from the Seminary. In recent years he served as Chairperson of the Publications Committee of the Rabbinical Assembly and adjunct Professor in its Graduate Rabbinical School.

Rabbi Isaacs lectures throughout the United States and presents numerous teacher workshops for the United Synagogue Department of Education . For almost a decade both he and his wife Leora co-directed the Shabbat Plus Adult Experience at Camp Ramah in the Poconos. His hobbies are writing and music, and Rabbi Isaacs has performed in several Hebrew liturgical rock groups, including the Voices Four-Arbaah Kolote and Lovin' Company. The recordings are available through Smithsonian Folkway Records.

He resides in New Jersey with his wife Leora, and has two children, Zachary and Keren.

Discussion topics

• Listen to her voice:
  Conflicting Views of Women in Jewish Tradition: This presentation presents biblical and Talmudic views of women, and where we stand today vis a vis their role in ritual, scholarship, and parenting.
• Ascending Jacob's Ladder:
  This interactive workshop will study with participants the role of angels, demons and evil spirits in Jewish tradition, including the Bible, Talmud and Prayerbook.
• Talking to God and Really Meaning It:
  How Jewish Prayer Can work in your life: This presentation will feature a new methodology for exploring the mechanics of prayer and how prayer can and should be used in real-life situations. Trigger films will be used to illustrate the methodology.
• Kosher Living:
  It's More than Just the Food: Based on Rabbi Isaacs newest book, this warm and humorous presentation will illustrate how keeping kosher really means living an ethical life.
• New Sounds in the Synagogue:
  Using his guitar as well as various recordings, Rabbi Isaacs will demonstrate the origins of Jewish music and the many directions in which Jewish music, especially liturgical, are heading. Many new melodies will be presented. (Based on Rabbi Isaacs' book Jewish Music: Its History, People and Song.
• Sex where you least expect it.
  Using text study, Rabbi Isaacs will present a new understanding of the Creation story, in which man and woman discover their own sexuality. We will learn the Jewish view of intimacy and love making too.
• Judaism, Magic and Superstition:
  Based on Rabbi Isaacs' book Divination, Magic and Healing, this workship will present how the Jewish life cycle has been influenced by superstition and folklore.
• What Happens After I Die:
  Based on Rabbi Isaacs' book "Death and Dying in the Jewish Tradition', Rabbi Isaacs will present Judaism's view of the soul, heaven and hell and reincarnation.

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