Best-selling author to speak May 12,13

The events are part of the Dr. Sidney M. Berkowitz Memorial Lecture Weekend.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Rabbi Lawrence Kushner, a best-selling author on Kabbalah and Jewish spiritual life, will be the scholar-in-residence during the Dr. Sidney M. Berkowitz Memorial Lecture Weekend, "Invisible Lines of Connection: Judaism, Mysticism and Kabbalah," May 12 and 13 at Congregation Rodef Sholom, 1119 Elm St.
Weekend events planned are:
May 12. Rabbi Kushner will address the topic, "Invisible Lines of Connection: When the Sacred Makes a Surprise Appearance in the Ordinary" at 7:30 p.m. followed by a dessert reception at 9. His lecture will examine some ancient and contemporary models for identifying the holy moments of everyday life.
May 13. A Torah study with Rabbi Kushner is scheduled for 9 a.m. followed by "Praying Life the Ancient Masters: A Hands-On Neo-Kabbalistic Prayer Workshop" at 10. The workshop will take participants on an informal walk thorough Sabbath morning liturgy to open new doors to understanding Jewish prayer.
Lunch, singing and a story are scheduled from noon to 2 p.m.
A Havdalah service is planned at 6:30 p.m. followed by a community dinner at 7.
About the speaker
Rabbi Kushner will present "Kabbalah and the Jewish Mystical Imagination" at 8. Kabbalah is Judaism mystical tradition and is Judaism's way of comprehending and experiencing the unity that lies beneath apparent contradiction and confusion of everyday reality.
In recent years, Kabbalah has captured the imagination of spiritual seekers of varied backgrounds. Some of Rabbi Kushner's remarks will resonate primarily with a Jewish audience, his message -- delivered via a blend of scholarship, imagination, psychology, mysticism and humor -- will appeal to people of all faiths.
Rabbi Kushner is the Emanu-El Scholar at Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco.
Rabbi Kushner is the author of "Filling Words with Light: Hasidic and Mystical Reflections on Jewish Prayer," "Honey from the Rock: An Introduction to Jewish Mysticism" and "The Book of Letters: A Mystical Hebrew Alphabet" to name a few.
Background
Rabbi Kushner's participation as scholar-in-residence is made possible by Congregation Rodef Sholom's Dr. Sidney M. Berkowitz Memorial Lecture Series.
Dr. Berkowitz was rabbi of Congregation Rodef Sholom from 1946-83. Rabbi Berkowitz was a leader in Youngstown's Jewish community and in a wide range of civic organizations. He also is remembered for his contributions to the causes of civil and religious rights and for promoting interfaith dialogue.
Previous lecturers in the series have included Nobel Prize winner Elie Wiesel; historian and author Arthur Schlesinger; Harold Kushner, author of "When Bad Things Happen to Good People," Ambassador Alan Keyes and Dee Dee Myers, White House press secretary during the Clinton administration.
All events are free and open to the community. Nominal fees for lunch and dinner May 13 will be charged; advance reservations and pre-payment are required by May 8. For information, call Congregation Rodef Sholom at (330) 744-5001.