New York Times "Beliefs" Columnist to Speak in Greenwich on November 5

Mark Oppenheimer, New York Times “Beliefs” Columnist,

To Speak in Greenwich on “Three Ways We Do Religion . . . Which One Is Yours?”

Mark Oppenheimer is the nationally respected

New York Times “Beliefs” columnist and contributes

to a number of other publications, including

The Nation and The Atlantic.

Stamford, CT 10/23/2014 -- Mark Oppenheimer, nationally renowned “Beliefs” Columnist for The New York Times, will be the guest speaker at a Wednesday, November 5, 2014, event at the Bruce Museum, 1 Museum Drive, Greenwich. Brought to the community by Selah, Fairfield County’s only Jewish Reconstructionist Synagogue, his topic is “Three Ways We Do Religion . . . Which One Is Yours?”

“I welcome this opportunity to engage Fairfield County’s clergy, lay leaders and communities on a topic that as a writer and parent I think about all the time – why we continue to feel so connected to religion, even when many of us are nonbelievers,” says Oppenheimer, who has a Ph.D. in American religious history and also writes about politics, urbanism and family. “We can learn from each other. In my experience, the laity has a lot to teach the clergy, and people have a lot to gain by speaking across lines of religion, and levels of observance within religions. We have more in common than we think.”

Rabbi Nicole Wilson-Spiro, Selah’s spiritual leader, explains why she invited Oppenheimer to speak to the larger community: “Oppenheimer will explore our varied motivations for participating in organized religion. He will challenge conventional notions that participants are always believers. At Selah, our assumption is that people join us for many different reasons, including a love for Jewish learning, ritual and community, but that assumption that religious behavior implies traditional beliefs is definitely out there, and it can keep people away. As an inclusive and a diverse congregation that deeply values education and learning, Selah seemed the natural partner to bring Mark and this important discussion to our friends in Fairfield County.”

The event will include Oppenheimer’s talk, a Q&A and the opportunity to meet with him before and after the event. Wine and appetizers will be served. Cost is $125. The event is underwritten by Pamela and Marek Lewanda; all proceeds will benefit Selah, Fairfield County’s only Jewish Reconstructionist Synagogue. Space is limited; registration is required at http://selahfairfieldcounty.org/.

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Selah, Fairfield County’s only Jewish Reconstructionist Synagogue, is a vibrant, creative and inclusive congregation led by Rabbi Nicole Wilson-Spiro and is a growing community – committed to prayer, joy, learning, engagement and social justice. For more information, email info@selahfairfieldcounty.org and visit www.selahfairfieldcounty.org.