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FrenchChabad East Of The River to host series on criminal justice
According to Rabbi Yosef Wolvovsky, criminal justice reform is a “hot-button issue."
Starting Tuesday and running for six weeks, the Chabad East of the River Jewish Center will host “Crime and Consequence,” a new series by the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute. Wolvovsky, who will teach the course, said the series “will explore 3,000 years of Jewish wisdom" covering a range of issues including: the prison system, criminal background checks, and even the death penalty.
“It’s a timely topic with everything going on in the world,” Wolvovsky said. “This series is a great way to engage that topic and talk about how current contemporary practices contrast with the Jewish system. This is something that is relevant to everybody and it’s the responsibility of our society to make sure things are done in just fashion. It’s relevant and something meaningful to society at-large.”
Wolvovsky said the series will “address some big questions,” including: Do all criminals deserve a second chance? Should criminal records ever be erased (or sealed)? What does Judaism say about the death penalty? What can we do about the high recidivism rate?
Alan Dershowitz, Professor Emeritus at Harvard Law School, has endorsed the national course saying it "brings rigorous legal analysis, statistical data on incarceration and rehabilitation and case studies into a uniquely profound dialogue.”
Wolvovsky said the course is designed for participants “to think critically” and "tackle the big issues in an open, honest, and interactive manner. He noted attorneys can earn up to nine continuing education credits by attending the series.
“If you care deeply about justice and are enraged by injustice, this series is for you. We will present real life cases, address the pros and cons of our current system, and present a fresh perspective," he said.
The course will be offered in Glastonbury starting on Tuesday from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Chabad Jewish Center, 25 Harris St. In West Hartford, the course will be offered on Mondays starting Feb. 4 from 7:30-9 p.m. at the Chabad House – 2352 Albany Ave. The fee for the series and textbook is $99. To reserve a spot visit www.ChabadER.com e-mail [email protected] or call 860- 659-2422.