On Thursday, May 23, Rabbi Andrea Cohen Kiener will present two programs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Wisdom House Retreat & Conference Center in Litchfield. “Jesus: The Misunderstood Jew” will be the focus of the morning session, and “Facing the Middle East” afternoon session will focus on the current Israel-Palestine conflict.

During the “Jesus: The Misunderstood Jew” session, Rabbi Cohen Kiener will review the provocative teachings and writings of Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, a thought leader in Jewish Christian studies. “The Misunderstood Jew” is the title of her seminal work on the life and context of Jesus of Nazareth. A renowned scholar of Christianity, Dr. Levine is a practicing, observant Jew who seems to have chosen this title to challenge both Christians and Jews. She hopes that Christians will understand more about “the Jewishness of Jesus” and that Jews will be challenged to reclaim the Second Testament of Christian texts as a primary text for the history of the Second Temple period. 

The “Facing the Middle East” session will focus on what we can understand and do about the Israel/Palestine conflict. Rabbi Cohen Kiener has traveled repeatedly into the West Bank, Gaza, and Israel for over a decade with the Compassionate Listening Project (CLP). The CLP’s delegations heard from hundreds of people from diverse backgrounds, seeking humanity, empathy, and common ground. Rabbi Cohen Kiener will share frameworks for understanding current events, and she will help to create a safe space for the sharing of attendees’ questions and concerns.

Rabbi Cohen Kiener is an author, translator, speaker, teacher, storyteller, and stand-up comedian. She recently retired as the rabbi of Temple Israel in Greenfield, MA, and continues to serve her Hartford synagogue community monthly.

Additionally, she is the translator of “Conscious Community” by Rabbi Kalanymour Kalman Shapira. She also edited “Claiming Earth as Common Ground” with Skylight Paths Publishing. Rabbi Cohen Kiener has learned, led, and taught in numerous formats in interreligious works and dialogue, including her work as a delegation leader for the Compassionate Listening Project in Israel/Palestine.

Rabbi Cohen Kiener has a BA in Jewish Studies, a BS in Secondary Education and Language Instruction, a Pastoral Care ordination from Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, and a Rabbinic ordination from The Alliance for Jewish Renewal.

Celebrating its 75^th Anniversary in 2024, Wisdom House is an interfaith retreat and conference center presenting programs in spirituality, wellness, the arts, and ecology, and we offer hospitality to academic, civic, nonprofit, and business organizations. “Wisdom House is committed to welcoming people of all backgrounds and beliefs,” stated executive director Deborah Kelly. “The daily horrors of the war in Gaza alarms people worldwide. We are grateful to welcome Rabbi Andrea Cohen Kiener to help attendees understand this conflict and exchange thoughts and concerns with each other respectfully.”

Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center is at 229 East Litchfield Road in Litchfield. The program cost is $60/person including lunch. Reservations are not required but are strongly encouraged by visiting www.wisdomhouse.org/programs or calling Wisdom House at 860-567-3163.