Scholar in Residence 2012

January 28, 2012

Shaarai Shomayim is proud to announce its 2012 Scholar-in-Residence, Ron Wolfson, Ph.D., the Fingerhut Professor of Education at the American Jewish University in Los Angeles. Dr. Wolfson will present four workshops during the weekend of Feb. 3-5: 
“Building Good Tents: Envisioning the Synagogue of the Future” - Friday, Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m.
“The Seven Questions You’re Asked in Heaven” - Saturday, Feb. 4, 9-11 a.m.
“A Workshop on Welcoming” - Saturday, 7 p.m.
“God’s To-Do List: 103 Ways to be an Angel and Do God’s Work on Earth” - Sunday, Feb. 5, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Admission is free, however, if you are interested in attending any of the workshops, please RSVP to Aaron Zinner at or at 371-8049.

Wolfson is a visionary Jewish educator whose enthusiasm for bringing Judaism alive in homes and synagogues has shaped his work in the community. He is the author, most recently, of The Spirituality of Welcoming: How to Transform Your Congregation Into a Sacred Community and God’s To-Do List: 103 Ways to Be an Angel and Do God’s Work on Earth (Jewish Lights Publishing). A pioneer in the field of Jewish family education, Ron has authored The Art of Jewish Living series of books (Jewish Lights Publishing): Three of the titles (Shabbat, The Passover, Hanukkah) are designed to enrich the celebration of Jewish holidays, and one (A Time to Mourn, A Time to Comfort) provides a guide to Jewish bereavement and comfort.
Wolfson has been a member of the faculty of the American Jewish University since 1975. He has also served as Dean of the Fingerhut School of Education, Vice President and Founding Director of the Whizin Center for the Jewish Future and the Whizin Institute for Jewish Family Life.The book, First Fruit: A Whizin Anthology of Jewish Family Education, which he co-edited with Adrianne Bank, won the 1999 Jewish Book Award.

His interest in synagogues dates back to his involvement in a Conservative congregation, Beth El, in his home town of Omaha, Nebraska. Over the years, he has visited hundreds of synagogues across North America as a consultant, teacher and scholar in residence widely recognized for his passionate, insightful and often humorous presentations. Ron is a co-founder of Synagogue 2000 (with Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman) and currently serves as President of Synagogue 3000, a catalyst for excellence, empowering congregations and communities to create synagogues that are sacred and vital centers of Jewish life.