RADICAL AMAZEMENT: THE LIFE AND THOUGHT OF ABRAHAM HESCHEL

Abraham Heschel was an important Jewish rabbi, philosopher, theologian, and activist of the 20th century. He once wrote, “Never in my life did I ask God for success or wisdom or power or fame. I asked for wonder, and he gave it to me.” His understanding of Judaism and his family’s experience of the Holocaust led him to be a strong advocate for human rights (he marched with Martin Luther King during the Civil Rights movement). He was also instrumental in advancing Jewish/Catholic relations through his contributions to the Second Vatican Council’s document on Non-Christian religions. This lecture will highlight some of the key themes in Heschel’s writings with a view toward demonstrating their relevance for today.