Rabbi David Nesson
That will be the intriguing topic of an intriguing Our Jewish World Clergy Learning Series, led by Rabbi David Nesson, spiritual leader of Morristown Jewish Center–Beit Yisrael. The series, which is free and open to the public, will be held via Zoom on Thursdays, May 6, 13, and 20 at 1 p.m.
Our Jewish World is coordinated by Ilene Dorf Manahan and Melanie Levitan.
“Throughout history, people have longed for a Messiah—a redeemer, an anointed one, ushering in a time of complete peace—who will come along and save us from the harshness of life,” says Rabbi Nesson. “In this series, we will explore the roots of the Messianic ideas and ideals in Judaism.
“We will then continue with a look at some Jewish Messianic movements and when and where they failed, including Bar Kochba, Moses of Crete, David Alroy, Shabbatai Tzvi, and Jacob Frank. Finally, we will wonder why it is that the Messiah tarries, and whether we will recognize the Messiah when he or she is sitting right next to us.”
A renowned speaker and community leader, Rabbi Nesson serves on the Advisory Board of Directors of Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ. He was a founder and first chairman of the MetroWest Rabbinic Cabinet and serves on the Religious Pluralism Committee. He served on the Board of the Hebrew Academy of Morris County (now the Gottesman Academy) as well as the Rabbinic Council of the Golda Och Academy. He is a member of the New York Board of Rabbis and the New Jersey Region of the Rabbinical Assembly, where he served as a vice president. He also served on the national scene as chair of the Rabbinical Assembly’s Continuing Education Committee.
The series leader is also a passionate teacher. He teaches adult education classes in History, Talmud, Kabbalah, Bible and Philosophy. He has also participated in several summer rabbinic seminars at the Hartman Institute and he has brought Hartman programs to MJCBY and the larger community.
Preregistration is required for Rabbi Nesson’s series. To preregister, email iadpr@aol.com.