BREAKFAST MEETING

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2013

(Breakfast served 7:30-8:00 a.m., Program 8:00-9:00)

NOTE:  NEW MEETING LOCATION

GLENEAGLES COUNTRY CLUB (5401 West Park Blvd., Plano)

RESERVATION DEADLINE:  WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9

(PAYMENT MUST BE IN COUNCIL’S OFFICE BY WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9)

JEWISH ETHICAL WILLS - RABBI JORDAN PARR

Alongside the legal will, Jewish tradition has long provided for what has come to be known as an “ethical will”.  An ethical will is a parent’s directive to his or her children, instructing them in the proper way to live their lives.  Usually, these ethical wills begin by instructing the children in the proper way to live one’s life by the Torah, the primary source of Jewish law.  However, the wills continue by emphasizing middot, ethical values that are also important in Jewish life – and are often seen as even more important that the laws found in the Torah, as they are fundamental to understanding why the laws are even in effect.   In this presentation, we will examine several examples of famous medieval and modern ethical wills, including that of Rabbi Moses ben Nahman (Nahmanides).  Furthermore, this discussion will enable the participants to understand how a discussion of ethical wills can improve the writing of modern legal wills. The attendee should be able to take away the following skills: 1) Ability to explain Jewish ethical wills to clients; 2) Ability to direct clients to examples of Jewish ethical wills; 3) Ability to assist clients in writing ethical wills, regardless of faith tradition; and 4) Ability to integrate principles of Jewish ethical wills into modern legal wills when applicable.  Rabbi Jordan Parr, M.A.H.L. is known as a visionary rabbi.  Ordained by Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in 1986, Rabbi Parr has led congregations in Dallas, Texas, Augusta, Georgia and Plano, Texas.  Formerly an adjunct Professor of Jewish Studies at the University of North Texas and at Augusta State University, he has taught courses in Holocaust, Jewish History and Zionism.  Recognized in the field of medical ethics, Rabbi Parr has published articles in such wide-ranging areas such as abortion, active euthanasia, the environment, special needs camping and the relationship of Judaism to baseball.  Currently Rabbi Parr is a Community Service Counselor with Dignity Memorial, a national funeral and cemetery provider, including Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home and Cemetery and is also the rabbi of Congregation B’nai Israel of Jackson, Tennessee.  Rabbi Parr has also served on numerous boards and committees, both in the Jewish community and in the not for profit world.  He has also been an innovator in the field of Jewish education, instituting a radically innovative High School program in his former synagogue and serving on the faculty of several URJ camps.  A native of Detroit, Michigan, Rabbi Parr is also a graduate of the University of Michigan (BA, History cum laude, 1980). 

Continuing education credit pending for 1.0 Hour.

Membership dues do not include meals.  Credit Cards are not accepted. Please complete this form, enclose a check (payable to Estate Planning Council of North Texas) and mail to:  Estate Planning Council of North Texas, P. O. Box 38553, Dallas, TX  75238-8553.  THERE WLL BE 5 MEALS AVAILABLE FOR WALK-INS ON DAY OF MEETING (FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE). ALL OTHER WALK-INS WILL BE “PROGRAM ONLY”.  Members who have already paid in advance for all meetings for the year MUST register (you can send an e-mail to northtexasepc@yahoo.com) so we will have a count for the number of meals to prepare and number of outlines to print.

Member: $25 (includes meal); Guest: $30 (includes meal); Program Only (no meal): $15

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NOTE:  WALK-IN PRICES ON DATE OF MEETING:  Member: $30 (includes meal); Guest: $35 (includes meal); Program Only (no meal): $20

PATRON:  We would like to thank the following patron for their support:  The Catholic Foundation

Would your organization like to sponsor a meeting:  Sponsor for Meeting ($750 for 1 meeting):  Sponsorship for a meeting includes organization name on meeting notices, easel signage (sponsors provide signage) at the meeting, promotional brochures at meeting, a very brief (one minute) introduction to their organization at the beginning of the meeting and one complimentary breakfast at the meeting.  NOTE:  Each meeting can have more than one sponsor (conflicts will be eliminated by Council)