Adult Education Course with Rabbi Bell: The Future of Being Human - Class 2

Artificial intelligence, gene editing, and the possibility of human life beyond Earth are no longer the stuff of science fiction. These emerging technologies are reshaping our understanding of intelligence, identity, creation, and the boundaries of human possibility. They also raise some of the most profound questions of our time: What does it mean to be human? What responsibilities come with our growing ability to create and transform life? How should we understand human dignity in an age of unprecedented technological power? In this four-session course, we will explore how these technologies challenge and expand Jewish thinking about humanity, ethics, and the future. We will consider questions of moral responsibility, community, sacred time, and Jewish practice, asking how a living tradition can guide us as we navigate a rapidly changing world. Drawing on biblical texts, rabbinic literature, and contemporary Jewish thinkers, we will wrestle with some of the most consequential questions raised by emerging technologies. No prior Hebrew knowledge or technical background is required. Each session will begin with an accessible primer on the technology before turning to the larger human and Jewish questions it raises.