Leon Charney Discusses History Of Kaddish

Join us for a discussion of Leon H. Charney's new book, The Mystery of the Kaddish: Its Profound Influence on Judaism (Barricade Books, 2006), on February 28 at 7 p.m. at the Museum of Jewish Heritage-A Living Memorial to the Holocaust.

The Kaddish, widely known as a prayer for the dead, does not speak of death. So why, then, is the Kaddish recited after the death of a close relative? And how did the Kaddish, a prayer of unknown origin, become one of the most famous and familiar prayers in Jewish liturgy? Author Leon H. Charney will shed light on the prayer's fascinating history.

Leon H. Charney has enjoyed a distinguished career as an advisory to world leaders. He aided Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meier in bringing Soviet Jewish dissidents to Israel, and helped President Jimmy Carter broker the Camp David Accords. He is the author of three books and hosts The Leon Charney Report, a weekly, national television show.

Tickets to this event are $5; members are admitted for free.

This program is part of the Museum's book club, Looking Back, Facing Forward, cosponsored by the Forward and moderated by its Associate Editor, Gabriel Sanders. -- www.mjhnyc.org