119S Sutherland Building
Abington, PA 19001
Biography
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
D.D. Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Cincinnati, OH
Graduate Certificates, Social Work, Hunter College, New York City, NY
M.Ed , University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
M.A.H.L , Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Cincinnat,OH
B.H.L., Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Cincinnati, OH
B.S. (Education), Lewis University, Evanston, IL
RESEARCH and CREATIVE INTERESTS
My research is primarily devoted to the concept of Kedushah (uniqueness) in biblical, early Judaism and rabbinic texts, classical and modern. These interests focus on those perennial values that inform Jewish identity development as well as the various God-ideas that reflect these core principles.
I also explore the ways in which these core values, as expressed in classical Jewish texts, can and should help clarify contemporary issues that are experienced by students as they negotiate cultural and religious diversity.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Union for Reform Judaism Press
My First Hundred Hebrew Words
Learn Hebrew Today
A Storyteller’s Jewishness
Welcome to the World of Torah
Parents are Teachers Too
The Aleph-Bet of Jewish Values
An Artist You Don’t Have to Be
Central Conference of American Rabbis Press
Shalom, Salaam, Peace
A Children’s Haggadah
Seder with the Animals
Gates of Wonder
Gates of Awe
Becky and Benny Thank God
Pitspopany Press (Jerusalem)
Seven Animal Stories
Seven Animals Wag Their Tales
CURRENT COURSES TAUGHT AT PENN STATE
Jewish and Christian Foundations
Jewish Civilization
Society and Cultures in Modern Israel
Mysticism
Hebrew Bible
Early Judaism
Modern Judaism
Jewish Literature
Jewish Studies
Modern Jewish Philosophy