Institute of Judaism Turns 50

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The Institute of Judaism celebrates its 50th anniversary this

weekend at Congregation Ahavath Chesed, 8727 San Jose Blvd.

Rabbi Jacob Kaplan was the guest speaker of the first Institute

on May 7, 1946. His topics were "The Philosophy of Judaism" and

"The Ethics of Judaism."

Pretty basic stuff, but the purpose of the Institute has always

been to educate non-Jews about Judaism.

And in those early years, in the wake of the Holocaust, that

meant keeping to the basics because Jews and non-Jews,

especially Christians, didn't mix, at least on religious levels.

For many people, the Institute …