Judaism, Science and Medicine Group

The Judaism, Science and Medicine Group (JSMG) is an international organization of natural and social scientists, philosophers, historians, physicians, rabbis, theologians and educators who act to promote and facilitate a close relationship between Jewish religion, cultures and values, and the sciences, for the mutual benefit of both. Membership is free. Please contact Gloria Baker, of ASU Jewish Studies to be added to the membership rolls.

2025 Judaism, Science and Medicine Group (JSMG) Conference: “The Many Faces of Love: Judaism, Science and Medicine.”

Sunday and Monday, March 2–3

Zoom

This event is free and open to the public. Cosponsored by Valley Beit Midrash.

 

Sessions On:

  • Love and the neurosciences
  • The embodiment of love: Emotions, affects, and the imagination
  • The pandemic of loneliness: Love and mental health
  • Love and public health
  • Love and the human condition: Jewish philosophies and theologies of love

 

Previous Conferences (events prior to 2021 not recorded for viewing)

2024

2024 JSMG Annual Conference: Biotechnology, Judaism and the Future of Humanity: Can Technology Make Us More Human?

themes —

  • Sessions On:
  • Biotechnology and the Future of Humanity
  • Biotechnology and Jewish Law
  • Biotechnology and Ethics of Medical Innovations
  • Philosophical and Theological Perspectives on Biotechnology  

Dr. Michael Anbar Keynote Address on Judaism, Science, and Medicine

“The Language of Things: Technology, Polity, and Responsibility in Jewish Thought”, Laurie Zoloth (Chicago)

 

JSMG's 2024 Events Program

2023

2023 JSMG annual conference: Judaism, Jews, and Artificial Intelligence (AI): Smart Machines vs. Enduring Wisdom

themes —

  • The Ethics of AI 

  • Artificial Intelligence and the Practice of Medicine 

  • AI and Halakha

  • The Social and Cultural Impact of Artificial Intelligence

  • AI Research: Israel and the Diaspora

If you would like to present at the conference, please send us an email, including a title and short abstract of your proposed lecture. We also welcome your recommendations for other themes or  someone who would make an excellent speaker on this subject matter.

2022

March 27, 2022

Judaism and Public Health: Living in the Shadows of Pandemics

 

Judaism and Public Health: Living in the Shadows of Pandemics

 

download program

view session recordings

The COVID-19 pandemic, which has upended the life of all people worldwide, is still raging, despite the invention of a vaccine against the virus. The annual Judaism, Science, and Medicine Group (JSMG) conference will reflect on the COVID-19 pandemic from historical, sociological, legal, philosophical, and ethical perspectives. Special attention will be paid to clinical and practical lessons learned since the beginning of the pandemic, and the diverse responses of the Jewish community to the pandemic. Through interdisciplinary examination of accumulated data, the conference will reflect on the past and future of living in the shadow of pandemics.

Organized by ASU Jewish Studies. Sponsored by the Harold and Jean Grossman Chair in Jewish Studies and Irving and Miriam Lowe Professor of Modern Judaism at Arizona State University. With support from the Dr. Michael Anbar Memorial Lecture in Judaism, Science and Medicine Endowment, Arizona State University.


presentation PDFs shared by presenters

2021

February 28, 2021

Judaism and Climate Change: Science, Theology, and Ethics

 

2021 JSMG Postcard cover

 

download program

view session recordings

 

sponsors

  • ASU Jewish Studies
  • Harold and Jean Grossman Chair in Jewish Studies, Arizona State University
  • Irving and Miriam Lowe Professor of Modern Judaism, Arizona State University

with support from

  • Dr. Michael Anbar Memorial Lecture in Judaism, Science and Medicine Endowment, Arizona State University

community partner

2020

March 1-2, 2020

Jewish Healing Through the Ages: theories and practices

 

2020 JSMG Postcard

 

The “Jewish Healing through the Ages: Theories and Practices” conference explored:

  • the Jewish physician as a social type
  • the historical factors that shaped the status, function, and impact of Jewish physicians
  • the relations between Jews and non-Jews in the practice of medicine
  • the intellectual, ethical, and theological dimensions of Jewish medicine
  • the role of women and gender in Jewish medical practice

download program

 

sponsors

  • ASU Jewish Studies
  • Harold and Jean Grossman Chair in Jewish Studies, Arizona State University
  • Irving and Miriam Lowe Professor of Modern Judaism, Arizona State University

with support from

  • Dr. Michael Anbar Memorial Lecture in Judaism, Science and Medicine Endowment, Arizona State University

community partner

2019

February 17-18, 2019

Judaism and Disability: new genetics, disability studies, and practical interventions

 

 

The Judaism and Disability: New Genetics, Disability Studies, and Practical Interventions conference explored:

  • how genetics and genomics help to understand and treat genetic diseases.
  • the diverse conceptions of physical and mental disabilities in the sources of Judaism in light of the new discipline of Disability Studies.
  • the social, cultural and psychological dimensions of disability.
  • the work of Jewish organizations to empower and include people with disabilities.

download program

 

sponsors

  • ASU Jewish Studies
  • Harold and Jean Grossman Chair in Jewish Studies, Arizona State University

with support from

  • Dr. Michael Anbar Memorial Lecture in Judaism, Science and Medicine Endowment, Arizona State University

community partners

  • Gesher Disability Resources
  • Jewish Genetic Diseases Center of Greater Phoenix
  • Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center

2018

February 18-19, 2018 | held at University of Texas at Austin | Austin, Texas

Judaism and Mental Health: Psychotherapy, Neuroscience, and the Spiritual Life

 

2019 JSMG conference program cover

 

Organized by ASU Jewish Studies at Arizona State University and Schusterman Center for Jewish Studies at The University of Texas at Austin.

This conference explored the intersection of science and spirituality within the realms of psychology and psychotherapy, with an emphasis on Judaism but also a comparative look at that intermingling in Christianity and less well-defined searches for meaning and transcendence. Participants include psychologists, psychiatrists, clergy, as well as humanities and religion scholars. Topics spanned centuries and range from considerations of problems of mental well-being in Rabbinic texts through the contemporary “positive psychology” movement and the findings of neuroscience.

download program

 

sponsors

  • ASU Jewish Studies
  • Gale Family Foundation Annual Lectureship in Jewish Studies, University of Texas
  • Harold and Jean Grossman Chair in Jewish Studies, Arizona State University
  • Schusterman Center for Jewish Studies, University of Texas at Austin

with support from

  • Dr. Michael Anbar Memorial Lecture in Judaism, Science and Medicine Endowment, Arizona State University

2017

February 19-20, 2017

Sexuality, Gender and the Jewish Family

 

2017 JSMG conference postcard

 


The Sexuality, Gender and the Jewish Family conference explores the psychology of sexual orientation and gender identity; sexual identities in conflict; and sexual addiction, while reflecting on the new perspectives, legal tools and challenges to the Jewish family.

download program

 

sponsors

  • ASU Jewish Studies
  • Harold and Jean Grossman Chair in Jewish Studies, Arizona State University
  • Irving and Miriam Lowe Professor of Modern Judaism, Arizona State University

with support from

  • Dr. Michael Anbar Memorial Lecture in Judaism, Science and Medicine Endowment, Arizona State University

community partner

2016

February 21-22, 2016

Health, Mortality and Morality: Jewish Perspectives

 

2016 JSMG conference program cover

 

download program

 

sponsors

  • ASU Jewish Studies
  • Harold and Jean Grossman Chair in Jewish Studies, Arizona State University
  • Irving and Miriam Lowe Professor of Modern Judaism, Arizona State University

with support from

  • Dr. Michael Anbar Memorial Lecture in Judaism, Science and Medicine Endowment, Arizona State University

community partner

2014

October 26-27, 2014

Healing: the interplay of religion and science

 

 

download program

 

sponsors

  • ASU Jewish Studies
  • Harold and Jean Grossman Chair in Jewish Studies, Arizona State University

2013

October 6-7, 2013

Religion, Science and Sociality: Emergence Theory and Relgion

 

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sponsors

  • ASU Jewish Studies
  • Harold and Jean Grossman Chair in Jewish Studies, Arizona State University

2012

September 9-10, 2012

Evolution and Traditional Religions
and
The Obesity Epidemic: a multi-disciplinary examination

 

download program

 

sponsors

  • ASU Jewish Studies
  • Harold and Jean Grossman Chair in Jewish Studies, Arizona State University

This year’s meeting was featured as a part of Project Humanities at ASU.

2011

October 30-31, 2011 | held at the Center for Ethics at Emory University, Atlanta

Phenomenology, Existentialism and the Neurosciences: a Jewish Approach to Medicine

 

download program

 

sponsors

  • ASU Jewish Studies
  • Center for Ethics at Emory University, Atlanta
  • Harold and Jean Grossman Chair in Jewish Studies, Arizona State University

2010

October 10-11, 2010

JSMG Annual Conference

 

download program

 

sponsors

  • ASU Jewish Studies
  • Harold and Jean Grossman Chair in Jewish Studies, Arizona State University

2009

August 16-17, 2009

Inaugural Meeting of the Judaism, Science and Medicine Group

 

download program

 

sponsors

  • ASU Jewish Studies
  • Harold and Jean Grossman Chair in Jewish Studies, Arizona State University
  • Irving and Miriam Lowe Professor  of Modern Judaism

The Judaism, Science and Medicine Group is an international organization of natural and social scientists, philosophers, historians, physicians, rabbis, theologians and educators acting to promote and facilitate a close relationship between Jewish religion, cultures and values and the sciences for the mutual benefit of both. The organization seeks to increase the knowledge and appreciation of the sciences, Judaism and their interrelation and to offer a forum to reflect and deliberate on the implications of scientific advances from Jewish perspectives. Working across denominational lines, the organization will disseminate its mission in academic and non-academic venues using a variety of media.

To accomplish these objectives the organization will engage in the following activities:

  • Create forums for dialogue between scientists, healthcare professionals and scholars of religion.
  • Foster interdisciplinary, collaborative research projects on specific points of intersection between Judaism and the sciences.
  • Educate the broader Jewish community about the interrelation of the sciences with Jewish religion, cultures and values through lectures and specialized training.
  • Enable Jewish scientists and healthcare professionals to understand their work in the context of Jewish history, religion and values.
  • Develop materials and courses for Jewish educational institutions at various levels, including rabbinic seminaries.