From 호주이스라엘연구소
초청합니다! 2026년 7월 1일 수요일 저녁 6시, The Great Synagogue에서 좋은 강연이 개최됩니다.
연사는 Rabbi Dr Samuel Lebens (University of Haifa)이며, 강연 제목은 “Is Free Will an Illusion? Authoring the Story of Our Lives with Hasdai Crescas and Joseph Albo” (“자유의지는 환상인가? 하스다이 크레스카스와 요셉 알보를 통해 본 우리 삶의 이야기”) 입니다.
이 행사는 유대교와 기독교 간의 지적 교류와 현대 사회에서 신앙과 철학의 역할을 논의하는 시드니의 대표적인 유대-기독교 학술 포럼으로 평가받고 있습니다.
강연에서는 중세 유대철학자 Hasdai Crescas와 Joseph Albo의 사상을 통해 *인간의 자유의지 *하나님의 주권 *도덕적 책임 *운명과 선택이라는 철학적·신학적 문제를 다루게 됩니다.
The Great Synagogue 주소 : 166 Castlereagh St, Sydney NSW 2000
Speaker: Rabbi Dr Samuel Lebens (University of Haifa)
Lecture followed by conversation with Andrew West (ABC Radio National)
Time: 1 July 2026, 6 – 7:30 pm (Doors open 5:30)
Venue: The Great Synagogue
RSVP Essential
The John and Anna Belfer Oration in the History of Jewish Philosophy is a joint initiative of the University of Notre Dame Australia’s Centre for the History of Philosophy and The Great Synagogue Sydney, generously endowed by the Belanna Trust in memory of John and Anna Belfer. The annual Oration brings a distinguished scholar of Jewish philosophy to Sydney to deepen academic and public understanding of Judaism’s remarkable philosophical legacy – a tradition that begins with Philo of Alexandria, runs through medieval thinkers such as Maimonides and Judah Halevi and continues into the twentieth century with figures like Martin Buber and Joseph Soloveitchik. The Jewish philosophical tradition developed in creative dialogue with the other Abrahamic faiths and draws on Tanach, Talmud and Greek philosophy alike. As one of Judaism’s most significant contributions to world history and culture, Jewish philosophy has profound value for Jews and non-Jews alike.
Lecture: Is free will an illusion?
June 21, 2026 by Rob Klein
That question will sit at the heart of a major public lecture by internationally renowned Jewish philosopher Associate Professor Samuel Lebens when he visits Australia in July.
Rabbi Dr Lebens, from the University of Haifa, will speak in Sydney and Perth in a University of Notre Dame Australia program exploring Jewish philosophy, ethics and human responsibility.
Is free will an illusion?
Presented by Notre Dame’s Centre for the History of Philosophy, the visit will be led by the second annual John and Anna Belfer Oration in the History of Jewish Philosophy at The Great Synagogue in Sydney on 1 July.
In his lecture, Is Free Will an Illusion? Authoring the Story of Our Lives with Hasdai Crescas and Joseph Albo, Rabbi Dr Lebens will draw on two mediaeval Jewish philosophers to examine human agency, divine influence and moral responsibility.
The evening will conclude with a conversation between Rabbi Dr Lebens and ABC Radio National presenter Andrew West.
Sam Lebens
Rabbi Dr Lebens is the author of six books, including The Principles of Judaism, and almost 60 scholarly papers. A close student of the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, he has lectured widely in Israel, Britain and the United States and is regarded as one of the leading voices in contemporary Jewish philosophy.
Rabbi Dr Benjamin Elton, Chief Minister of The Great Synagogue, said the visit was significant.
“Lebens is a superstar in the world of Jewish philosophy and ethics. His visit to Australia is a major event for the Jewish community and beyond, and his lectures will be highly stimulating, providing both intellectual engagement and spiritual inspiration,” Rabbi Dr Elton said.
The Belfer Oration was established in 2025 by Notre Dame and The Great Synagogue, with support from the Belanna Trust. The inaugural lecture attracted more than 350 people, including NSW Governor Margaret Beazley AC KC, NSW Chief Justice Andrew Bell, Archbishop Anthony Fisher and leaders from Jewish and other faith communities.
Professor David Bronstein, co-director of the Centre for the History of Philosophy, said last year’s response showed strong interest in serious public discussion of philosophical and religious ideas.
“The remarkable response to last year’s inaugural Belfer Oration demonstrated the appetite for thoughtful, accessible engagement with the great questions of human life,” Professor Bronstein said.
“We are delighted to welcome Rabbi Dr Lebens, one of the world’s leading scholars of Jewish philosophy, to continue this important tradition.”
Rabbi Dr Lebens will also present a four-part series at The Central Synagogue in Bondi Junction titled After Bondi: A Light in Dark Times – Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’ Jewish Vision of Hope.
Held on Tuesday evenings from 7 to 28 July, the series will draw on Rabbi Lord Sacks’ A Letter in the Scroll and explore identity, purpose, community and hope in the wake of the Bondi tragedy in 2025.
The series is presented in partnership with The Central Synagogue and the Central Academy and was established as an initiative of Ruth Magid and Robert Magid OAM.
The program will conclude in Perth, where Rabbi Dr Lebens will present his lecture on free will at Perth Hebrew Congregation in Menora on 9 July.
Professor Bronstein said the program reflected Notre Dame’s commitment to engaging different philosophical traditions and encouraging dialogue between faith communities.
“At a time when communities are seeking connection and understanding, these events offer an opportunity to reflect on profound questions with clarity, depth and hope,” he said.
All events are open to the public.
More information and bookings:
Sydney Belfer Oration at The Great Synagogue
Rabbi Sacks lecture series at The Central Synagogue
June 21, 2026 by Rob Klein
