- Irving Greenberg
Irving Greenberg, also known as Yitz Greenberg, is a Jewish-American scholar and author. He is known as a strong supporter of
Israel [Arnold Jacob Wolf, "The Revisionism of Irving Greenberg" [http://www.clal.org/e102.html] ] and a promoter of greater understanding betweenJudaism andChristianity [Carroll James, "In Appreciation of Irving Greenberg" [http://66.218.69.11/search/cache?ei=UTF-8&p=irving+greenberg&fr=yfp-t-501&u=www.jewishpub.org/pdf/Greenberg247-249.pdf&w=irving+greenberg&d=JywSY-ljO_KC&icp=1&.intl=us] ] .Greenberg was ordained as a Modern Orthodox
rabbi and maintains Orthodox observance, but his theology is seen by many to be opposed to traditional Orthodoxy.Fact|date=October 2007 He earned a Ph.D. fromHarvard and served as the rabbi of the Riverdale Jewish Center, an associate professor of history atYeshiva University , and as a founder, chairman, and professor in the department of Jewish studies of the City College of theCity University of New York [Beliefnet, "Rabbi Irving Greenberg: Beliefnet Columnist" Greenberg's thought involves a dynamic reading of current Jewish history through use of traditional Jewish categories of thought. He has written extensively about the Holocaust and about the historical and religious significance of the State of Israel. His great teacher in Jewish Thought was Rabbi Joseph Dov Baer Solovetchik. One of his major contributions has been as a teacher, and a whole generation of distinguished scholars, including Rabbi Joseph Telushkin and Michael Berenbaum consider him their mentor. Because of his courageously independent thinking Rabbi Greenberg has frequently met with harsh criticism from fellow Orthodox Rabbis. An initial strong supporter of Israeli settlement in Gush Etzion he later became critical of some aspects of Israeli policy. [http://www.beliefnet.com/author/author_60.html] ] Greenberg's thought centers on the concept of 'Tikkun Olam' of humanity working as Co- Creator with God in improving the world. Another crucial concept of his thought is that of 'Covenant' and he sees the Jewish people's Covenant with God as enjoining them to set an example for the moral edification of mankind.Greenberg's books include: "The Jewish Way: Living the Holidays", "Living in the Image of God: Jewish Teachings to Perfect the World"(with Shalom Freedman) , and "For the Sake of Heaven and Earth: The New Encounter Between Judaism and Christianity".
He is married to Orthodox Jewish
feminist authorBlu Greenberg .References
[http://frontrow.bc.edu/program/greenberg/ Lecture by Greenberg at
Boston College ]
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