The first 5779 installment of our Sunday morning speaker series featuring the voices of our community (kolot kehillah) is a talk titled: "Toward a Confluence of Neuroscience, Judaism and Contemplative Practice" by Matt Banks.

Learn how the soul and the mind have been the subject of intense scrutiny by Judaism and Buddhism for nearly three millennia, but it is only in the past century that science has had something interesting to say about the neural basis of these facets of the human experience. Matt's research focuses on what changes in the brain when we lose and regain consciousness under anesthesia and natural sleep, as well as in acute disorders of consciousness such as delirium. The scientific premise that motivates this work is that we construct reality through the expectations we bring to each moment. Its broader implications touch on how our notions of compassion and the divine can influence our relationships to others and ourselves.

A light breakfast will be served. Please consider a $5 donation to offset the cost of this Beth Israel Center Adult Education Program.