Environmental concerns are at the top of the agenda around the world. Judaism, like the other world religions, only rarely raised issues concerning the environment in the past. This means that modern Judaism, the halakhic tradition no less than others, must build on a slim foundation in its efforts to give guidance. The essays in this volume mark the beginning of a new effort to face questions and formulate answers of vital importance.

THE FREEHOF INSTITUTE OF PROGRESSIVE HALAKHAH The Freehof Institute of Progressive Halakhah is a creative research center devoted to studying and defming the progressive character of the halakhah in accordance with the principles and theology of Refonn Judaism. It seeks to establish the ideological basis of Progressive halakhah, and its application to daily life. The Institute fosters serious studies, and helps scholars in various parts of the world to work together for a common cause. It provides an ongoing forum through symposia and publications, including the quarterly newsletter Halakhah, published under the editorship of Walter Jacob, in the United States. Our Academic Council includes the foremost halakhic scholars in the Refonn, Liberal, and Progressive rabbinate as well as a number of Conservative and Orthodox colleagues, and university professors. This book follows the volumes: Dynamic Jewish Law, Progressive Halakhah- Essence and Application (1991), Rabbinic-Lay Relations in Jewish Law (1993), Conversion to Judaism in Jewish Law (1994), Death and Euthanasia in Jewish Law (1995), The Fetus and Fertility in Jewish Law (1995), Israel and the Diaspora in Jewish Law (1997), Aging and the Aged in Jewish Law (1998), Marriage and Its Obstacles in Jewish Law (1999), Crime and Punishment in Jewish Law (2000), and Gender Issues in Jewish Law (2001). It is part of a series whose subjects are diverse and the approaches taken by the authors are equally so. We wish to encourage wide-ranging discussions of contemporary and historic themes.

Radical changes in understandings of gender over the last two centuries are at the heart of some of the most controversial issues within Jewish life and law. They have influenced the basic concepts of Judaism, of family structure, of liturgy, of thoughts about leadership and of Halakhah. This volume discusses some of these changes and new definitions and how they continue to be reflected in the developing reform Halakhah.

The Bible presents only a small portion of the laws necessary for a state to function. Nevertheless, whole tractates of the Talmud discuss a wide variety of legal issues both civil and criminal. Although the jurisdiction of the beth din was limited in every land where Jews have lived, the scholars felt that it was important to develop a system which dealt with every aspect of life. Quite a few of the issues were discussed at a purely theoretical level. But faced with specific problems in their respective communities, the rabbinic scholars were forced to be practical and go beyond the traditional halakhah in order to protect the community. This mixture of idealism and reality shape the later rabbinic discussions, some elements of which have been incorporated into modern Israeli law, but also shape modern Jewish thinking in the Diaspora. This area of the halakhah has been rather neglected, but this volume will no doubt stimulate further research. Published in Association with the Solomon B. Freehof Institute of Progressive Halakhah

THE FREEHOF INSTITUTE OF PROGRESSIVE HALAKHAH The Freehof Institute of Progressive Halakhah is a creative research center devoted to studying and defining the progressive character of the halakhah in accordance with the principles and theology of Reform Judaism. It seeks to establish the ideological basis of Progressive halakhah, and its application to daily life. The Institute fosters serious studies, and helps scholars in various portions of the world to work together for a common cause. It provides an ongoing forum through symposia, and publications including the quarterly newsletter, HalakhaH, published under the editorship of Walter Jacob, in the United States. The foremost halakhic scholars in the Reform, Liberal, and Progressive rabbinate along with some Conservative and Orthodox colleagues as well as university professors serve on our Academic Council.

THE FREEHOF INSTITUTE OF PROGRESSIVE HALAKHAH The Freehof Institute of Progressive Halakhah is a creative research center devoted to studying and defining the progressive character of the halakhah in accordance with the principles and theology of Reform Judaism. It seeks to establish the ideological basis of Progressive halakhah, and its application to daily life. The Institute fosters serious studies, and helps scholars in various portions of the world to work together for a common cause. It provides an ongoing forum through symposia, and publications including the quarterly newsletter, HalakhaH, published under the editorship of Walter Jacob, in the United States. The foremost halakhic scholars in the Reform, Liberal, and Progressive rabbinate along with some Conservative and Orthodox colleagues as well as university professors serve on our Academic Council.

THE FREEHOF INSTITUTE OF PROGRESSIVE HALAKHAH The Freehof Institute of Progressive Halakhah is a creative research center devoted to studying and defining the progressive character of the halakhah in accordance with the principles and theology of Reform Judaism. It seeks to establish the ideological basis of Progressive halakhah, and its application to daily life. The Institute fosters serious studies, and helps scholars in various portions of the world to work together for a common cause. It provides an ongoing forum through symposia, and publications including the quarterly newsletter, HalakhaH, published under the editorship of Walter Jacob, in the United States. The foremost halakhic scholars in the Reform, Liberal, and Progressive rabbinate along with some Conservative and Orthodox colleagues as well as university professors serve on our Academic Council. This collection on Essays is the product of the second colloquium held in Florida during June 1991.

THE FREEHOF INSTITUTE OF PROGRESSIVE HALAKHAH The Freehof Institute of Progressive Halakhah is a creative research center devoted to studying and defining the progressive character of the halakhah in accordance with the principles and theology of Reform Judaism. It seeks to establish the ideological basis of Progressive halakhah, and its application to daily life. The Institute fosters serious studies, and helps scholars in various portions of the world to work together for a common cause. It provides an ongoing forum through symposia, and publications including the quarterly newsletter, HalakhaH, published under the editorship of Walter Jacob, in the United States. The foremost halakhic scholars in the Reform, Liberal, and Progressive rabbinate along with some Conservative and Orthodox colleagues as well as university professors serve on our Academic Council. This collection of essays is the product of the symposia held in Atlanta and Pittsburgh in 1995 and 1996. This book follows the volumes DYNAMIC JEWISH LAW; Progressive Halakhah - Essence and Application (1991), RABBINIC -LAY RELATIONS IN JEWISH LAW (1993), CONVERSION TO JUDAISM IN JEWISH LAW (l994), DEATH AND EUTHANASIA INJEWISH LAW (1995) and THE FETUS AND FERTILITY IN JEWISH LAW (1995), ISRAEL AND THE DIASPORA IN JEWISH LAW (1997). It is part of a series whose subjects are diverse and the approaches taken by the authors are equally so. We wish to encourage wide ranging discussions of contemporary and historic themes.

Where does learning take place? In this collection of passionately argued essays, leading educators and theorists explore the "where" of pedagogy - how pedagogical processes are influenced by local conditions. Understanding this dynamic just may be the single most important ingredient to successful teaching.
"If Classrooms Matter" presents some of the best known voices in critical pedagogy--Michael Apple, Henry Giroux, Stanley Aronowitz, Carol Becker, Peter McLaren--alongside essays by such well-known scholars as Mark Poster, Sharon O'Dair, David Trend, Jacqueline Bobo, and others. These thinkers explore the sensitive balance between technology, physical space, economic developments, political events, and the goals of teaching--a balance we must constantly renegotiate if classrooms are to matter at all.

Where does learning take place? In this collection of passionately argued essays, leading educators and theorists explore the "where" of pedagogy - how pedagogical processes are influenced by local conditions. Understanding this dynamic just may be the single most important ingredient to successful teaching.
"If Classrooms Matter" presents some of the best known voices in critical pedagogy--Michael Apple, Henry Giroux, Stanley Aronowitz, Carol Becker, Peter McLaren--alongside essays by such well-known scholars as Mark Poster, Sharon O'Dair, David Trend, Jacqueline Bobo, and others. These thinkers explore the sensitive balance between technology, physical space, economic developments, political events, and the goals of teaching--a balance we must constantly renegotiate if classrooms are to matter at all.

Whom do Jews consider to be Jewish? Is one born a Jew? Does one have a choice? Marriage, religious conviction, feelings of guilt in the face of history have all been reasons for seeking membership of the Jewish community. What are the practical issues for someone wishing to convert to Judaism? International contributors describe in this volume the manifold theological, legal, sociological, and psychological aspects to the phenomenon of the new children of Abraham, and people who have confronted this issue in their own lives tell their stories.