Joseph Prouser
A collection of scholarly essays in celebration of Dr. Ora Horn Prouser on her 60th birthday. Dr. Prouser is CEO and Academic Dean at The Academy for Jewish Religion, a pluralistic rabbinical, cantorial and graduate school. She has worked with educational institutions to develop Bible curricula and pedagogical materials for all levels and learning styles. Her book, Esau’s Blessing: How the Bible Embraces Those with Special Needs was recognized as a National Jewish Book Council finalist. From Ra’u Or:'We lift up the outstanding career of our colleague, friend, mentor, and teacher, Ora Horn Prouser, and offer our blessings for her continued inspired leadership in the years to come.'-Chancellor Shuly Schwartz'The study of pre-biblical myth and epic is essential for tracing the development of biblical literature. However, I, as a scholar of the pre-biblical material, am not interested in it solely for its role in the evolution of the Hebrew Bible. I, like some others, seek and find meaning in the pre-biblical and extra-biblical material as well.' -Prof. Edward L. Greenstein'The truth of the matter is this. The power of right and great dreams is never dependent on where you rest your head. Where you rest your head is never as important as where you place your heart. The dreams that touch our hearts move our souls to action.'-Rabbi Peter E. Hyman'We Jews have various ways of explaining how God enters our lives.... When we work to bring about change on big issues in small places we are doing what is godly.'-Rabbi Dr. Nancy Fuchs Kreimer'To imagine difference as desirable, rather than distraction, transforms the way I engage the other. It changes my posture toward the unfamiliar and opens me to the possibility of something greater.... Perhaps, then, pluralism is necessary, not only because it enriches life, but because it is most like the Divine and so is closest to the created order.'-Rev. Dr. Barbara Horkoff Mutch'We must thank God Who Dwells on High, who has bestowed upon us the great privilege of this light of Torah - Ora Zo Shel Torah.'-Rabbi Moshe Yaakov Mendelowitz
