200 Attorneys and Judges attend Chabad’s 2nd Annual Jewish Law Symposium
MORRIS TOWNSHIP, NJ [CHI] — On Tuesday, June 17th, an overflow crowd of 200 attorneys and judges packed The Madison Hotel in Morris Township to attend Chabad of SE Morris County’s 2nd Annual Jewish Law Symposium.
More pictures in the Extended Article! (Photo By Tom Verniero)
The Topic for the event was: “Democracy and the Uncertain Fate of Individual Rights”, and featured presenters were New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Barry T. Albin, and Rabbi Shlomo Yaffe, Dean of the Institute of American and Talmudic Law.
Mr. William M. Laufer Esq., who movingly spoke about his personal relationship with Rabbi Shalom Lubin and Chabad, opened the program. He said that his connection to Judaism was always through his father, and how shortly after his father passed away 2 years ago, he received a call from Rabbi Lubin about the Jewish Law Symposium, and how Rabbi Lubin and Chabad have filled the void for him, and have become his connection with Judaism.
Rabbi Shalom Lubin, director of Chabad of SE Morris County, thanked everyone for making the event possible, and shared with the crowd his personal motivation for this project. “Many people have asked me why I spend so much time on this symposium, and the reason to me is quite clear. The Lubavitcher Rebbe, my mentor and teacher wanted us to unite the Jewish World, to bring Jewish people together, especially through education. What better was to accomplish this than our symposium this evening. In the room here tonight we have attorneys and judges from all backgrounds and affiliations, and we are here tonight, united, with one goal- to learn about the Talmud, and apply its invaluable impact to our lives.”
In a surprise public appearance, recently appointed Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court Stuart Rabner attended the program and stayed through its entirety! He was given the honor of introducing Justice Barry T. Albin, and sharing some words with the crowd.
The crowd sat spellbound as Justice Barry T. Albin and Rabbi Shlomo Yaffe each gave their presentations on “Democracy and the Uncertain Fate of Individual Rights”, exploring both the civil legal systems view and the Talmud’s view on this most relevant topic we face today.
Mr. Harold Braff Esq. moderated a spirited question and answer session following the presentations. The symposium was opened to attorneys and judges from all faiths and walks of life, and NY and PA CLE Credits were provided.
“Boruch Hashem, the Jewish Law Symposium this year was successful beyond our wildest dreams. We had 2oo of the top lawyers and judges in the State, who were exposed to the Talmud and it’s relevance in life, and walked away visibly impressed. Everyone I made a follow-up call to, said they impressed with the caliber of the crowd and the presenters, and that they will be back at next year’s event. ”, said Rabbi Shalom Lubin, founder of the Jewish Law Symposium and Executive Director of Chabad of SE Morris County.
The Jewish Law Symposium is a project of Chabad of SE Morris County, a Jewish outreach and educational organization located at 42 Park Ave. in Madison.
For more information about Chabad of SE Morris County’s ongoing Talmud classes and lecture series, or to join the Jewish Law Symposium Board, please email
info@jewishlawsymposium.com, or call (973) 377-0707.
(Hon. Stuart Rabner, Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court can be seen in the left foreground of the photo)
