Jewish medical ethics: guidelines for hard choices. Who gets health care? What does it cost? Who decides? Who pays? Discussion of ethical issues lags behind medicine’s rapid advances. What does Judaism teach us?

Ÿ If sedation soothes a terminally ill person, but it also hastens the end of life by slowing breathing and heart rate, should it be used?

Ÿ What should be done, if anything, if implanted embryos multiply?

Ÿ Are there lines that should not be crossed regarding cloning, stem cell research, infertility?

Rabbi Elliot Dorff, distinguished Professor of Philosophy at the American Jewish University, will discuss issues of Jewish medical ethics in a series of presentations for Congregation Beth Israel’s Scholar-in-Residence program, March 5 – 7, 2010. The public is invited to join the congregational community for this exciting weekend with one of Judaism’s most noted medical ethicists. Some events require pre-registration, and fees may apply. A complete schedule of presentations is included following Rabbi Dorff’s biographical information.

Rabbi Elliot Dorff is a dynamic speaker and the author of more than 200 articles on Jewish thought, law and ethics. He has also written 17 books, including the National Jewish Book Award winner, To Do the Right and the Good. Among his many accomplishments, Rabbi Dorff has chaired three scholarly organizations: the Academy of Jewish Philosophy, the Jewish Law Association, and the Society of Jewish Ethics.

In spring 1993, Rabbi Dorff served on the Ethics Committee of Hillary Rodham Clinton’s Health Care Task Force. In March 1997 and May 1999, he testified on behalf of the Jewish tradition on the subjects of human cloning and stem cell research before the President’s National Bioethics Advisory Commission.

In 1999 and 2000, Rabbi Dorff was part of the Surgeon General’s commission to draft a Call to Action for Responsible Sexual Behavior; and from 2000 to 2002 he served on the National Human Resources Protections Advisory Commission, charged with reviewing and revising the federal guidelines for protecting human subjects in research projects.

Rabbi Dorff is currently working on a project on Judaism and genetics for the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and he is a member of that organization’s Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion Advisory Committee.

Below is a list of the Scholar in Residence presentations planned. All events will be held at Congregation Beth Israel, 2200 Broadway, Bellingham WA 98225, unless otherwise indicated. Please note that fees may apply, and that registrations must be returned by February 27, 2010 to Congregation Beth Israel at the above address. Phone the Beth Israel office at (360) 733-8890 for a registration flyer or more information.

FRIDAY, MARCH 5

6:00 PM Shabbat dinner* with Rabbi Dorff Pre-registration is required *Cost: Beth Israel members $54/person Non-members $70/person

8:00 PM Shabbat evening service. Presentation: Jewish Medical Ethics: What’s it all about?     All are welcome at the service

SATURDAY, MARCH 6

9:30 AM Torah study

10:30 AM Shabbat morning service. Presentation: Issues in Medicine Today      All are welcome at Torah study and Shabbat service

12:30 PM Lunch and Learn*. Presentation: Issues at the Beginning of Life     Pre-registration required *Cost: Non-members $7/person

7:30 PM Panel program at Whatcom Community College’s Heiner Auditorium. Havdalah service and presentation: Health Care in America: Who Receives Care, and Who Pays?

The program is free and open to the public

SUNDAY, MARCH 7

9:00 AM Presentation*: Issues at the End of Life Bagels and coffee will be served. 

Pre-registration required *Cost: Non-members $5/person