Is there a beginning and an end to the universe? What role can medical breakthroughs play in conception or genetic engineering? Can science help us pinpoint the end of human life? Does the soul emanate from the brain or vice-versa?
These are some of the questions that will be discussed at the Tenth Miami International Torah & Science Conference, titled “Beginnings, Endings & Renewals.” The conference will take place Saturday, December 14 through Monday, December 16 at The Shul, 9540 Collins Ave., Surfside. All conference sessions are free and open to the public.
The conference will feature talks by 15 scientific, academic and religious leaders from North America and Israel. The three-day conference kicks off 8:15 p.m. on December 14 with the program “Beginning of Life,” featuring Dr. John D. Loike of Columbia University, Israel Prize laureate Rabbi Abraham Steinberg of Hebrew University and Shaaare Zedek Hospital, and Rabbi Moshe D. Tendler of Yeshiva University. The conference continues through Dec. 16 with the final session at 7:30 p.m.
Rabbi Sholom Lipskar, spiritual leader of The Shul of Bal Harbour, will deliver the opening remarks at the Saturday evening session. Rabbi Lipskar initiated the Torah and Science Conference in 1987 with Herman Branover, a professor and world pioneer in magnetohydrodynamics.
The three-day conference also offers a pre-conference event on Friday, December 13 featuring Shabbat evening dinner with the scientists. Cost for the dinner is $40 for Shul members, $50 for non-members and half the adult rate for children under 13. Reservation and payment in advance required.
For more information, visit www.torahscienceconference.org, call 305-868-1411, ext. 7314, or e-mail [email protected].