Special to DJW

The Dallas Area Torah Association will host its sixth annual Summer Speaker Series, bringing four of the most distinguished and interesting speakers in the United States to Dallas to address topics that relate to our lives. The program will be held at The Hockaday School.

"Summer can be a slow time, with vacations and slowdowns in business," said DATA's Rabbi Netanya Zakon who is directing this year's program. "This series will provide you with the means to add spark to your summer and spirit to your soul," he said.

The series begins Wednesday, June 5, 2002, with a thought-provoking talk, "In Search of a Jewish Identity," by Rabbi Label Lam. An entertaining public speaker, published poet and former full-time lecturer for Arachim America seminars, Rabbi Lam heads the national outreach organization Foundations for Jewish Learning. He received his B.A. at Colgate University and matriculated at Harvard Extension School before pursuing his masters in Jewish Education at Touro College. He brings his rich life experiences, personal warmth, wit and infectious love for people to his talks.

The Tuesday, June 11, 2002, session presents "An Amazing Solution to the Middle East Crisis" by Rabbi Yehudah Silver. A native of Chicago, Ill., Rabbi Silver has lectured extensively throughout North America, Israel, Europe and South Africa and is rabbi of Congregation Kesser Torah and director of the Center for Jewish Awareness, both in Memphis, Tenn. Formerly he was director of education for England-based Project Seed, an adult education program with over 50 learning centers throughout the country.

The Tuesday, June 11, 2002, session presents "An Amazing Solution to the Middle East Crisis" by Rabbi Yehudah Silver. A native of Chicago, Ill., Rabbi Silver has lectured extensively throughout North America, Israel, Europe and South Africa and is rabbi of Congregation Kesser Torah and director of the Center for Jewish Awareness, both in Memphis, Tenn. Formerly he was director of education for England-based Project Seed, an adult education program with over 50 learning centers throughout the country.

The final talk of the series is a thoughtful and stimulating talk on the unique role of women in Judaism by Mrs. Leah Kohn, Tuesday, July 9, 2002.

Mrs. Kohn is the co-founder and director of Jewish Renaissance Center, an acclaimed institute for Jewish studies in Manhattan, devoted exclusively to women. As an educator, she is noted for her ability to relate to Jews from across the spectrum of the community and to address sensitive topics. With over 30 years' lecturing experience, Mrs. Kohn has touched the lives of thousands of Jews and is particularly adept at reinforcing the connection between Jewish values and a modern world. Her work at the Jewish Renaissance Center and her guest lectures throughout the United States are steeped in scholarship, and offer insights into the many aspects of Judaism relating to women and society at large.

All lectures begin at 7:30 p.m. at The Hockaday School, 11600 Welch Road, Dallas. Tickets can be purchased ($10 per lecture or $30 for the series) from DATA, (214) 987-DATA (3282) or at the door. Refreshments will be served before the talks.