Rabbi Maurice Harris

ClassesPresentationsSermonsWorkshops

For Synagogues, Churches, Schools, and Interfaith Events

About Rabbi HarrisMaurice Harris studied for the rabbinate at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Philadelphia, where he was ordained in 2003. He served as Rabbi and Head of School at Temple Beth Israel in Eugene, Oregon for 8 years, and has recently left that position in order to spend more time parenting, writing, and teaching.

Maurice loves teaching Jewish and biblical studies with Jewish groups as well as other religious communities or in interfaith settings. His essays and op-eds have appeared in numerous Jewish and secular publications, and he has a forthcoming book, Moses: A Stranger Among Us, due in 2012 from Cascade Books, an imprint of Wipf & Stock Publishers. A long-time advocate for Israeli-Palestinian reconciliation and GLBT equality, he currently serves on the board of Rabbis for Human Rights – North America. He is married to Melissa Crabbe, who works in the field of prison education, and he is the father of two children that he and Melissa adopted, Clarice and Hunter.

Single Session Offerings:I offer a number of different 90 min – 2 hour study sessions or presentations on Jewish or interfaith topics. $75 - $150 honorarium requested. Topics include:• The Akedah (The Binding of Isaac) – Greeting a Challenging Story Anew• Israel / Palestine from a Progressive Zionist Perspective• A Sacred Commitment: Supporting LGBTQ Equality in the Faith Community• Moses as We Rarely Consider Him – How Moses Helps Us Face

Contemporary Issues in our Religious and Political Life• Understanding Midrash• The Rebekah Cycle: A Genesis Text Study• The Jacob Cycle: A Genesis Text Study• The Joseph Cycle: A Genesis Text Study• Ezekiel: Prophecy in Terrifying Technicolor • Healthy vs Unhealthy Religion• The Holocaust and Jewish-Christian Relations in the 21st Century• Who Is The God of the Hebrew Bible?• Who Is The God of the Talmudic Rabbis?• Who Is The God of Maimonides?• Who Is The God of the Kabbalists?

Multi Session Offerings:I offer 3 to 5 session courses. Honorarium / tuition negotiable. Topics include:

• When You Say God, What Do You Mean? An Overview of the Many Ways Jews Have Understood the Divine Over 3,000+ Years

• A History of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict from a Progressive Zionist Perspective

• Moses: A Stranger Among Us• Discovering Midrash• The Midrashic Method and the Christian Scriptures• Exploring Ezekiel• Text Study: Genesis and Us• Exile and Return: Exploring a Powerful Root Metaphor• Who is a Jew in the Movies? (includes film screenings and discussion)• Understanding the Shoah (Nazi Holocaust)• The Death and Resurrection of the Beloved Son (exploring a recurring

theme in Jewish and Christian sacred texts)

Rabbi-in-Residence Weekends for Synagogues

I offer packages that will engage your synagogue over the course of Shabbat and Sunday. A standard package includes: a sermon (d’var Torah) Friday evening, a short text study during Shabbat morning services a Saturday afternoon or evening program a Sunday program (aimed at youth or adults)

$1200 - $1600 price range, plus travel and lodging. I’m open to modifying the format and welcome all questions regarding these arrangements.

Offerings:

Rabbi-in-Residence Weekends for Churches

I offer packages that will engage your church over the course of a weekend. A standard package includes:

a Saturday afternoon or evening program an ecumenical sermon Sunday morning during services (I’m happy

to respond to texts from other religious traditions if that is desired) a Sunday afternoon or evening session.

$1000 - $1200 price range, plus travel and lodging. I’m open to modifying the format and welcome all questions regarding these arrangements.

Reviews and References

Maurice is a wonderful asset to our community. His is a passionate voice for peace with justice, compassion and the well-being of the whole earth community. His commitment to interfaith work and human rights is outstanding.  He brings wit and wisdom from the depths of the Jewish tradition to all his efforts.  

The Rev. Dr. Daniel E. H. BryantntSenior Minister, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Eugene, OR

Rabbi Maurice does a wonderful job of balancing his course objectives with the personal needs of his students.

Meagan Prince

Rabbi  Maurice is a gifted teacher. Not only does he possess vast knowledge and understanding of Jewish history, his engaging teaching style makes learning exciting and interesting, and enhances my desire to continue to learn from him in future classes offerings.

Marlene Lasher

I have taken several courses from Rabbi Maurice Harris and have listened to his sermons. He is consistently very knowledgeable about his topics, very well prepared, and clear and easy to follow. He shows concern about his topics with his warm and engaging manner and his excellent handouts. In Question & Answer periods he always demonstrates respect and interest in the questioner even when confronted with a difficult situation. I consider him an excellent teacher on many levels.

Irwin H. Noparstak, M.D.