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 Lisa Kaplan, Assistant Director of ASU Jewish Studies to be added to the membership rolls.
Planning is now underway for the 2023 JSMG annual conference: Judaism, Jews, and Artificial Intelligence (AI): Smart Machines vs. Enduring Wisdom
themes —
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The Ethics of AI
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Artificial Intelligence and the Practice of Medicine
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AI and Halakha
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The Social and Cultural Impact of Artificial Intelligence
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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.
Previous Conferences (events prior to 2021 not recorded for viewing)
2022
March 27, 2022
Judaism and Public Health: Living in the Shadows of Pandemics
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
- Impure or Infectious? A New Look at the Bible | Yitzhaq Feder | University of Haifa
- The Ten Egyptian Plagues as a Powerful Metaphor for Emergence of Epidemics | Michael Kosoy | KB One Health, LLC
- Can Mathematical Modeling Guide Pandemic Response, or is the Prescription Given in Leviticus as Good as It Gets? | Peter Rez | Arizona State University
- Jewish Laws COVID Responsa: From Asher to Zelig with Many Stops along the Way | Michael Broyde | Emory University
- Making Decisions on Public Health: Who Has the Legal Authority | Alan Jotkowitz | Ben Gurion University
- Suspension and Reversal of the Law (Halakhah) in Disease, Plagues, and COVID-19 | Y. Michael Barilan | Tel Aviv University
- Disruptions and Opportunities: The Impact of COVID-19 on the U.S. Jewish Community | Janet Aronson | Brandeis University
- Jews, Rats, and Fleas: New Perspectives on Plague | Susan Einbinder | University of Connecticut
- Pandemics and the Future of Humanity | David Passig | Bar Ilan University
2021
February 28, 2021
Judaism and Climate Change: Science, Theology, and Ethics
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
sponsors
- ASU Jewish Studies
- Harold and Jean Grossman Chair in Jewish Studies, Arizona State University
- Irving and Miriam Lowe Professor of Modern Judaism
Vision Statement
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.
Mission Statement
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.
JSMG News
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Disability: A Force For Unity Within And Beyond The Jewish Community | April 3, 2019
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Dying raises new issues today | March 2, 2016
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Scholars from around the world organize to bridge Judaism with science | September 25, 2009