The Judaism, Science and Medicine Group (JSMG) is an international organization of natural and social scientists, philosophers, historians, physicians, rabbis, theologians and educators who act to promote and facilitate a close relationship between Jewish religion, cultures and values, and the sciences, for the mutual benefit of both. The group creates forums for dialogue between scientists, healthcare professionals and scholars of Judaism, fosters interdisciplinary, collaborative research projects and develops educational materials about the interrelation of Judaism and the sciences.

To become a member of the group, please contact the Center for Jewish Studies.

FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE JSMG

sponsored by the Center for Jewish Studies at Arizona State University
featured Project Humanities event
September 9-10, 2012
University Club on the Tempe campus of Airzona State University
425 East University Drive, Tempe, Arizona

CONFERENCE R.S.V.P. FORM

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
EVOLUTION AND TRADITIONAL RELIGIONS

noon   
Lunch (speakers & invited guests)

1 p.m.
Welcome
Hava Tirosh-Samuelson | Arizona State University
Rick Goldberg | Binah Yitzrit Foundation

1:15 p.m.   
Session 1
What Can Modern Evolutionary Theory Contribute to the Understanding of Traditional Religions?
Not as Much as Traditional Religions Can Contribute to Modern Evolutionary Theory!
Craig Palmer | University of Missouri-Columbia

2:15 p.m.
Session 2
Jewish Ritual and Magic: an Anthropological Perspective
Richard Sosis | University of Connecticut

3:15 p.m.   
Break

3:30 p.m.   
Session 3
Fundamental Evolutionary Motives and the Varieties of Religious Experience
Adam Cohen | Arizona State University

4:30 p.m.
Session 4
Judaism's Periodic Conjugal Separation
What is the Evidence for Hormonal Entrainment?
Rick Goldberg | Binah Yitzrit Foundation

5 p.m.
Session 5
The Slifkin Affair: A Contemporary Jewish Evolution Controversy and Its Orthodox Response
Rabbi Benjamin Samuels | Congregation Shaarei Tefillah, Newton, Massachusetts

6:30 p.m.   
Dinner (speakers & invited guests)

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
THE OBESITY EPIDEMIC: A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY EXAMINATION

8 a.m.   
Breakfast (speakers & invited guests)

9 a.m.   
Session 1
The Developmental Evolutionary Origins of Obesity from the Perspectives of Science and Society
Jason Robert | Arizona State University

10 a.m.   
Session 2
Obesity and the Rhetoric of Obesity: From Personal to Public (Health) Burden
Karin Eli | Oxford University & Arizona State University
Anna Lavis | co-author | School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom

11 a.m.   
Session 3

When Is Enough Enough?: Judaic Perspectives on Indulgence and Satiety
Jonathan K. Crane | Emory University

noon   
Lunch (speakers & invited guests)

1 p.m.   
Session 4
Modesty Laws and Body Image Disturbance: An Application of Objectification Theory to Orthodox Jewish Women
Renee Engeln| Northwestern University

2 p.m.   
Session 5
Rabbinic Food Ethics for Contemporary Jews: Preliminary Observations
Jonathan Schofer | Reed College

• Group combines studies involving Judaism, sciences by Jessica Testa, The State Press
  

• Scholars from around the world organize to bridge Judaism with science appearing in ASU News and on Newswise.com