Oct. 30 Lichter Talk Explores Jewish Medical Ethics

The last of three talks in the annual Jacob and Jennie L. Lichter Lecture Series in Judaic Studies begins with a reception at 6 p.m. Oct. 30 in the Stratford Heights Community Center.

Dr. Edward Reichman's topic will be "Jewish Medical Ethics Through the Eyes of Maimonides." Reichman is associate professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Montefiore Medical Center, and the Department of Epidemiology and Population Health at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University.

Dr. Edward Reichman, third and final speaker in the 2006 Lichter Lecture Series, will discuss "Jewish Medical Ethics Through the Eyes of Maimonides."

The series, titled "Maimonides, Medicine and Ethics," is centered on the critical and lasting influence of Moses ben Maimon, the famed 12th-century rabbi, doctor and philosopher also known as Maimonides and Rambam.

Reichman said the rapidly advancing field of medicine, and its myriad of resultant ethical dilemmas, "provides a few lifetimes of work for the ethicist and theologian alike."

"And given the research into human longevity, we might indeed have time to address all these issues," he said.

In the limelight again, especially as midterm elections approach, is the debate over stem cell research. The debate has intensified since actor Michael J. Fox, who has Parkinson's disease, made TV commercial and personal appearances supporting candidates who support embryonic stem cell research.

The distilled issue for embryonic stem research is the status of the human embryo, Reichman said.

"In short, the pre-embryo is not accorded the status of full human life in the eyes of Jewish law," he said. "Given its origin from the reproductive seed, it does have a status higher than, for example, a hair or skin cell. However, this does not preclude its use for stem cell research. Most authorities place limitations on the origin of the embryos, and require that only excess or extraneous embryos from IVF procedures be used."

Another case where religious medical issues made news at every level: the life and death debate over Terri Schiavo. Emotions ran high worldwide as legal wrangling unfolded between the parents and husband of the Florida woman, who had been in a persistent vegetative state since 1990. Schiavo died March 31, 2005, 13 days after her feeding tube was removed.

"In this case, Orthodox Judaism’s response is quite clear," Reichman said. "Terri Schaivo’s right to nutrition and hydration is no different than yours or mine. She did not suffer from any terminal condition. All human life is of infinite value in the eyes of Jewish law, and her comatose state does not diminish this value."

Reichman's take on medical ethics are especially interesting in light of his roles as Orthodox rabbi, physician and family man. The roles, he said, complement each other, augmenting his ability to share what he has learned.

"The different roles of my life are synergistic, each aspect enhancing the other," he said. "The religious training is invaluable in approaching the patient at the bedside, and the medical training is essential to clarify the Jewish legal issues that arise in the practice of modern medicine.

"My wonderful wife and four children are the power source, infusing me with the strength and energy and advice required to learn and teach. Sharing what I have learned is perhaps the most important dimension of my work. Most of my energy and creativity goes into teaching."

Speaker for the Oct. 23 event was internationally recognized Jewish bioethics expert and Maimonides scholar Dr. Fred Rosner. His topic was "Medical Questions in Maimonides' Writings." Rosner, who has translated into English all of Maimonides' medical writings, is professor of medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and director of the Department of Medicine at Queens Hospital Center.

UC President Emeritus Henry Winkler and Menachem Kellner chat before Kellner's talk, the first of three Licture Lecture Series events.

This year's series topic is timely and important, said Mark Raider, Judaic Studies department head and Jewish Foundation of Endowed Chair in Judaic Studies.

"The intersection of faith, science, and rationalism presents enormous challenges for scholars and our society as a whole. Ours is a liberal society predicated on the idea that each individual and group occupies a legitimate place in the polity regardless of personal background and orientation," Raider said.

"Maimonides lived in a time and place very different from our own, but his broad view of social relations and the benefit of scientific discovery for all makes him particularly relevant as a role model for the world today. It's hard to overstate Maimonides' significance as a medieval Jewish philosopher. His considerable intellect and talent went hand in hand with his personal religious commitments and passion for tolerance."

The Lichter series is funded by the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati. Director of Alumni Affairs Dick Friedman said the yearly event is "dedicated to continuing to introduce the University community and the community at large to the rich texture of Jewish civilization, of over 5,700 years of its culture, literature, language and historic accomplishments."

"Each year, learned thinkers are invited to offer of variety insightful perspectives," said Friedman, immediate past president of the board of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati.

"This year, once again, is no exception."

It's quite a coup to bring three such distinguished and prominent scholars for this year's events, said Raider.

"Each of our speakers is a well known authority on ethics, and they all bring a deep and profound understanding of Maimonides to bear on their scholarly work," he said.

"I am grateful to my colleagues, especially Prof. Steven Bowman, who invited the speakers, and Prof. Richard Karp, past acting head of Judaic Studies, for their hard work and putting the lecture series together."

Speaker for the first event was Maimonides scholar and professor Menachem Kellner, who explored the topic "Maimonides and Moral Ethics." Kellner, who holds the Wolfson Chair in Jewish Thought at the University of Haifa, has been profoundly interested in Maimonides for his entire professional life.

For a complete schedule of events, RSVP information, and details on speakers, click here.