JONATHAN COHEN Dean
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion 3101 Clifton Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45220-2488 USA
CURRENT POSITION
Dean September 2011-Present
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio Associate Professor, Talmud and Halachic Literature July 2006-Present Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio
Director January 2001-Present
Hebrew Union College-University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio Center for the Study of Ethics and Contemporary
Moral Problems
PREVIOUS POSITIONS
Director of Outreach Education & Programs July 2010-September 2011 Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio
Assistant Professor, Talmud and Halachic Literature July 1998-June 2006 Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio EDUCATION
PH.D. (Law) October 1994-July 1999
University of Liverpool Liverpool, England
Dissertation: ‘Some Aspects of Restitution in Jewish Law’, Written under the supervision of Bernard S. Jackson, Queen Victoria Professor of Law
Ll.B. (Honours) September 1990-June 1993
University of Kent Canterbury, England
AREAS OF EXPERTISE Jewish Law and Modernity Medieval Responsa
Human Rights and Religion Halacha and Ethics
PUBLICATIONS
Books and Study Guides
Editor, Studies in Jewish Commercial Law, The Jewish Law Association, Binghamton, New York, 2009
Articles
‘Giving to Charity, Taking for Charity: Jewish Welfare Administration in Medieval Europe’, in Religion, Poverty, and Welfare Policy, forthcoming
‘On Becker, Heroism, and Queen Esther: A Jewish Perspective’, in Confronting Mortality: Religious, and Psycho-Social Approaches, ed. J. Buchanan, forthcoming ‘The Evolution of “Talmud Torah” in Reform Prayer-books and Platforms in the Last Three Decades’ (Hebrew) H. Rechnitzer and J. Cohen, in The Reform Movement: Sociology , Education, and Theology, ed. A. Rosenak, forthcoming
‘Jewish Bioethics: Between Criticism and Interpretation’, in Midrash and Medicine, ed. W. Cutter, Jewish Lights Publishing, forthcoming (2010)
‘Housing Transactions, Transparency, and Halakhah: A Proposal, J. Cohen and Rabbi A. B. Stoller, in Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) Journal, A Reform Jewish Quarterly, Spring 2010
‘Kosher Slaughter, State Regulation of Religious Organizations, and the European Court of Human Rights’, in Intercultural Human Rights Law Review, 2009
‘Studies in Jewish Commercial Law: Introduction’, in Studies in Jewish Commercial Law, Jewish Law Association, Binghamton, New York, 2009, pp 1-18
‘On Martyrs and Communal Interests: Rabbinic Readings of the Samson Narrative’, The Review of Rabbinic Judaism 11:1, 2008, pp 49-72
‘Halakhic Issues: A Survey’, Modern Judaism: An Oxford Guide, Oxford University Press, 2005, pp. 341-351
‘Charitable Contributions, Communal Welfare Organizations, and Allegiance to the Community According to Rashba’, Hebrew Union College Annual, Vol. 72, 2001, pp 85-100
‘On the Marriage of Coverts, the Status of Married Jewish Women, and Rashba’s Responsum Vol. I, No. 1205’, (Hebrew) CCAR Journal: A Reform Jewish Quarterly, Vol. XLVI, No. 4, 1999, pp 57-81
Reviews, Editorials
Editorial, Article Review: ‘On Medical Research and Human Dignity’, Clinical Anatomy 22:161-162, 2009
PRESENTATIONS AT CONFERENCES
* ‘On Halakhah, Aggadah, and Jewish Bioethics’, Society for Jewish Ethics, Academic Coalition for Jewish Bioethics Meeting, New Orleans, January 6, 2011 (forthcoming) * ‘Pathways to Reconciliation; Theological Foundations – A Jewish Perspective’, Partners in Dialogue: Reconciliation Through Understanding and Cooperation, St. Michael’s College, Vermont, October 6, 2010 (forthcoming)
‘Nutrition and Hydration at end of life and the Associated Faith and Religious Related Issues’, Veterans Health Administration Medical Center Staff Conference, August 31, 2010
‘Genetics, Bioethics, and the Halakhah’, Institute for Contemporary Halakhah Meeting, CCAR Convention, San Francisco, March 8, 2010
Visiting Lecturer, Human Rights, and Religion, Intercultural Human Rights (Ll.M course), St. Thomas University School of Law, Miami, Florida, November 16-21, 2009 ‘Mental Disposition, Transgression and Punishment’, International Academy of Law and Mental Health Congress, New York University Law School, June 29-July 3, 2009
`Priorities in Health Care; Between Ethics and Halacha’, Academic Coalition for Jewish Bioethics Annual Meeting, Baltimore, Maryland, April 26-27, 2009
Visiting Lecturer, Human Rights, and Religion, Intercultural Human Rights (Ll.M course), St. Thomas University School of Law, Miami, Florida, September 9-14, 2008 ‘On Becker, Heroism, and Queen Esther: A Jewish Perspective’, Confronting Mortality: Religious and Psycho-Social Approaches’, Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio, October 27, 2007
‘Property Rights in Umbilical Cord Blood: A Comparative Study’, “Life, Procreation, and the New Genetics”, Academic Coalition for Jewish Bioethics 3rd Annual Conference, Jewish Theological Seminary, New York, New York, September 11, 2006
‘Martyre et Intérêt Communautaire: Lecture Rabbinique du Récit de Samson’, Laboratorie D’études sur les Monothéismes, UMR 8584, Centre Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique, January 12, 2006
Visiting Lecturer, Human Rights, and Religion, Intercultural Human Rights (Ll.M. course), St. Thomas University School of Law, Miami, Florida, November 16-20, 2005 Panel Member, “Fundamentalism: The Changing Face of Religion, Politics, and Power in the 21st Century”, Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio, October 31, 2004
Panel Moderator, “Therapy vs. Enhancement: Defining Disability/Perfection”, Academic Coalition for Jewish Bioethics Annual Conference, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 29-March 1, 2004
Panel Chair, “Justice After the Holocaust: 50 Years to the Nuremberg Trails”, Museum of Jewish Heritage, New York, New York, June 12, 2003
Visiting Lecturer, Human Rights and Religion, Intercultural Human Rights (L1.M. course), St. Thomas University School of Law, Miami, Florida, April 11-14, 2002 Panel Member, Jewish Ways of Knowing: Anticipating the Ethical Dilemmas of Biotechnology, New York, New York, March 17-18, 2002
‘Restitution of Art and Ritual Objects: Recent Developments’, Council of American Jewish Museums Conference, Cincinnati, Ohio, January 27, 2002
‘Life and Dignity: Jewish Perspectives, End-of-Life Treatment and Care: Religious and Secular Perspectives’, Ninth National Conference on Nursing Administration Research, Cincinnati, Ohio, October 26, 2001
‘Beyond the Letter of the Law: The Liberal Foundation of Halakhah’, Solomon B. Freehof Institute for Progressive Halakhah, 112th Conference of Central Conference of America Rabbis, Monterey, California, June 16, 2001
‘Response to A Praxis of Redemptive Love: A Theological Reflection on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Movement’ Athenaeum of Ohio, Cincinnati, Ohio, March 28, 2001
Panel Moderator, Non-Rabbinic Halakhah, The Contemporary Study of Halakhah: Methods and Meaning, HUC-JIR, New York, New York, March 18-20, 2001
‘New Questions in Medieval Jewish Law: Rashba’s Approach, Methodology of Response to New Questions in Jewish Law, The Contemporary Study of Halakhah: Methods and Meaning’, HUC-JIR, New York, New York, March 18-20, 2001
‘Approaches to Charity in Classical Jewish Law, Responsa, Rashba III, 380, Mini Conference, Taking Stock: Practical and Professional Ethics and the Twenty-first Century’, Association for Practical and Professional Ethics Tenth Annual Meeting, Cincinnati, Ohio, March 1-2, 2001
‘Roles and Functions of Women in Jewish Society, Responsa Ribash, 127, Sefer Eduth
B’Yaacov, no. 36: Responsa, Mahary Weil, No. 32’, HUC-JIR President’s Institute for
Adult Jewish Study, Cincinnati, Ohio, December 15-17, 2000
Panel moderator, Violence Against Women: Family, Faith Communities, and the Law, HUC-JIR and UC College of Law, Cincinnati, Ohio, November 29, 2000
‘Human Dignity and Charity: An Obligation of Government to Help the Poor?’, Charity and Government: Interfaith Perspectives, Symposium, St. Thomas University School of Law, Miami, Florida, October 29, 2000
‘Archival Material and Restitutionary Efforts Following World War II and the
Holocaust’, Nazi War Criminals Records Interagency Working Group, National Archives and Records Administration Meeting, Cleveland, Ohio, August 21, 2000
‘The Duty to Restore Property in Medieval Jewish Law’, British Association of Jewish Studies conference, Oxford, England, July 25, 1995
PRESENTATIONS & WORKSHOPS
Scholar-in-Residence URJ Regional Biennial, March 20-22, 2009
Convener, Moderator, Cincinnati Board of Overseers Meeting on Medical Ethics: and Presenter ‘Medical Ethics: An Interdisciplinary Discussion’,
September 19, 2008
Presenter Board of Overseers Meeting and Celebration of Rabbi Stern’s 25th Anniversary in the Rabbinate, Dallas, Texas, April 20-22, 2007 ‘What Is a Rabbi: Rabbinic Authority in the Past and Today’; Presentation in Honor of Donald J. Stone
Presenter College Colloquium ‘Life: Beginning and…End’, February 17-20, 2007
Scholar-in-Residence URJ Regional Biennial, November 3-5, 2006 Speaker Text study session, Boca Raton, March 13, 2006
Scholar-in-Residence Central Reform Congregation, St. Louis, November 12-14, 2004
Speaker Temple Adath B’nai Israel, Evansville, Indiana, September 10, 2004
Scholar-in-Residence MWARR Kallah, Scottsdale, Arizona, January 25-27, 2004 Speaker Florida Atlantic University, March 3-4, 2003
Speaker Temple Beth El, Boca Raton, Florida, March 3-4, 2003 Scholar-in-Residence Congregation Beth Yam, Hilton Head, March 23-24, 2001 Speaker Congregation Beth Shalom, Hillel, Columbia, Montana,
March 13-14, 2001
Speaker Temple Emanu-El, Temple Shalom, March 2-3, 2001, Dallas, Texas
Programming for HUC-UC Center for the Study of Ethics and Moral Contemporary Moral Problems
Convener Symposium on Lamentations: Music, Text, and Interpretation, Cincinnati, Ohio, February 21, 2008
Convener, Chair Symposium on Poverty, Welfare, and Religion: Family, Gender, and Justice, Cincinnati, Ohio, May 18-20, 2007 Convener, Chair Symposium on Poverty, Welfare, and Religion: Poverty
and Displacement, Cincinnati, Ohio, May 6-7, 2006 Convener, Chair Symposium on Poverty, Welfare, and Religion: Poverty
and Displacement, Cincinnati, Ohio, May 7-9, 2005 Co-Convener Panel discussion, ‘Gender Stereotypes: The African American Family and the Margaret Garner Story’, Cincinnati, Ohio, February 23, 2005
Panelist Ethics case study, Inn of Court Ethics Program, Cincinnati, Ohio, October 19, 2004
Co-Convener, Chair Public Lecture and workshop, ‘The Musicality of Violence: The Aesthetics of Terror’, June 20-21, 2004.
Convener Panel discussion, ‘Censored: Exploring the Fine Line Between “Thought-Provoking” and Offensive’, April 25, 2004
Co-Convener Public Lecture, ‘Ethical Dilemmas that Arise When Offering Emergency Care in Time of War’, Cincinnati, Ohio, September 19, 2003
Convener, Chair Panel Discussion, ‘Capitalism and Sin’, Cincinnati, Ohio, June 4, 2003
Convener, Chair Panel Discussion, ‘Reporting the War on Terror’, Cincinnati, Ohio, March 30, 2003
Convener, Chair Mini-conference, ‘Zero Tolerance: Education and Justice for All?, Cincinnati, Ohio, April 9, 2002
Convener Panel Discussion, ‘Capital Punishment – Dead Man Walking’, Cincinnati, Ohio, January 17, 2002
Co-Convener, Speaker Panel, End-of-Life Treatment and Care: Religious and Secular Perspectives, Ninth National Conference on Nursing Administration Research, Cincinnati, Ohio, October 26, 2001
Convener, Chair Conference, ‘Concentrations of Wealth, Concentrations of Poverty: Homelessness and Ethical Decisions in Housing’, Cincinnati, Ohio, September 13-14, 2001
Co-Convener Public Lecture, ‘John Dolibois: The Last Surviving
Interrogator from the Nuremberg Trials’, Cincinnati, Ohio, April 23, 2001
Convener, Chair Mini-conference, ‘Violence Against Women: Family, Faith Communities, and the Law’, Cincinnati, Ohio, November 29, 2000
ORGANIZATIONS
Ethics Committee. The Jewish Hospital of Greater Cincinnati
The Jewish Law Association
The Association for Practical and Professional Ethics Association for Jewish Studies
AWARDS, GRANTS, AND FELLOWSHIPS Affiliate Member
Laboratoire D’etudes Sur Le S Monostheismes, August 2005-Present Centre Nationale De La Recherche Scientifique Villejuif, France
Rabbi M Matuson Professorship for Emerging Scholars November 2003-Present Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio
David Patterson Junior Fellowship in Jewish Law October-December 1996 Oxford Center for Hebrew and Jewish Studies Oxford, England
Felix Posen Post-Graduate Studentship for Research October 1994-Octber 1997 On the Historical Influence of Jewish Law on Modern Liverpool, England
Legal Systems