OU’S RABBI WEIL TO DELIVER SHABBAT AFTERNOON LECTURE, ‘TWO INFAMOUS MEDIEVAL DISPUTATIONS,’ AT HAMPTON SYNAGOGUE, AUGUST 27

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Every summer the elegant Hamptons on Long Island, New York’s South Shore come alive as thousands of tourists visit the beaches, festivals, cultural programs and upscale stores and restaurants of these fabled communities. Some include on their itinerary the Hampton Synagogue in Westhampton Beach, an OU member congregation founded in 1990 by Rabbi Marc Schneier, where they not only participate in the religious services but enjoy the special Shabbat programs as well.

On Saturday, August 27, Parshat Re’eh, OU Executive Vice President Rabbi Steven Weil will be a featured attraction when at 6:00 p.m. he will deliver the Shabbat Afternoon Shiur in the Berman Sanctuary on “Two Infamous Medieval Disputations.” As the synagogue’s website explains, “Each Shabbat afternoon this summer, we will enjoy the privilege of hearing a sophisticated Torah lecture from a leading educational or rabbinic leader.”

According to Rabbi Weil, the disputations are the debate in Barcelona in 1263 between Ramban and the Dominican Friars “which was a watershed moment in Spanish-Jewish relations”; and the Parisian debate in 1240 between Nicholas Donnin and Rabbi Yechiel of Paris “that led to the burning of all French Jewish texts and the ultimate expulsion of French Jewry.”

Rabbi Schneier declared, "We are pleased to welcome Rabbi Weil back to The Hampton Synagogue, highlighting a cadre of rabbinic and educational leaders who have elevated our congregation's Shabbat experience with a series of stimulating and thought-provoking shiurim."

The synagogue is located at 154 Sunset Avenue in Westhampton Beach. A large audience is expected for Rabbi Weil’s presentation.

Rabbi Weil will also serve as Scholar in Residence in for Shabbat programs in Columbus, Ohio (September 9-10) and Englewood, New Jersey (September 16-17) with details to follow.