"When Bad Things Happen to Good People" Author to Speak at University of Richmond
October 31, 2005
Rabbi Harold S. Kushner, best known as the author of “When Bad Things Happen to Good People,” will deliver the 19th-annual Weinstein-Rosenthal Lecture Nov. 7 at the University of Richmond. His speech will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Camp Theatre, Modlin Fine Arts Center and will be followed by a reception.
Kushner is Rabbi Laureate of Temple Israel in Natick, Mass. “When Bad Things Happen to Good People,” first published in 1981, became an international bestseller that has been translated into 14 languages. It recently was selected by members of the Book of the Month Club as one of the 10 most influential books of recent years.
Rabbi Kushner’s “When All You've Ever Wanted Isn't Enough” was awarded the Christopher Medal for its contribution to the exaltation of the human spirit.
His other books are “The Lord Is My Shepherd,” “Living a Life That Matters,” “How Good Do We Have to Be?” “A New Understanding of Guilt and Forgiveness,” “When Children Ask About God: A Guide For Parents Who Don't Always Have All The Answers,” “To Life! A Celebration of Jewish Being and Thinking” and “Who Needs God?”
Rabbi Kushner combines psychological and religious insights that not only rejuvenate the human spirit but also inspire us to look anew at our lives and to become more involved in the world around us. A strong theme of compassion runs through his books and talks. Both Jews and Christians have found solace in his writings and encouragement to live more fully their faith.
The speech is funded by the Weinstein-Rosenthal Chair of Jewish and Christian Studies at the university.