Who Elokeinu? Who Avinu? Who is God, Anyways? And Why Should It Matter Presenter: Rabbi Joseph Ozarowski
Why does it seem so hard for us, Jewish Educators teaching the people who introduced God to the world, to teach our students about God? In this session we will look at some traditional images and approaches to God from our classic texts, as well as some non- traditional approaches including the God of the angry Holocaust survivor, the God of the chaplain and patient in the hospital, and the Higher Power of 12-Steppers. This 9:35 am - 10:40 am breakout session is designed for teachers working with all grades
Rabbi Dr. Joseph S. Ozarowski is Rabbinic Counselor and Chaplain for Jewish Child and Family Services of Chicago and Jewish Chaplain at Skokie Hospital. Rabbi Ozarowski was cited by Chicago Jewish News as a “Top Jewish Chicagoan of 2013,” and received the “Rabbi Mordechai Simon Award” from the Chicago Board of Rabbis in 2014. He was elected president of the Board of Rabbis in May of 2015 and was last January elected national secretary of Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC). An engaging, nationally known teacher and speaker, Ozarowski has served congregations in Pennsylvania, California and the New York area. He also has served recently as Visiting Rabbi at Congregation Darchei Noam, a Modern Orthodox community in the Minneapolis area. He previously served as Executive Director of the Chicago Rabbinical Council (cRc) and administrator of its rabbinic court from 2001 to 2005.
Rabbi Dr. Ozarowski is a Board Certified Chaplain. He received his undergraduate degree from Loyola University of Chicago, his rabbinic ordination from Skokie’s Hebrew Theological College and his doctorate from Lancaster (PA) Theological Seminary. A prolific author, Rabbi Ozarowski co-authored Common Ground, (1998, Jason Aronson) and has written numerous articles. His first book, To Walk in God’s Ways - Jewish Pastoral Perspectives on Illness and Bereavement, (hard cover 1995, Jason Aronson, paperback 2004, Rowman and Littlefield) is considered a standard in the field of Judaism and Pastoral Care. Rabbi Ozarowski is married to Ashira (nee Rapoport), has four children and fifteen grandchildren.