Rabbi Geoff Mitelman
@rabbimitelman.bsky.social
Founding Director of Sinai and Synapses, which bridges the worlds of religion and science. 1x Jeopardy! contestant, massive Yankee fan.
Pinned
Scientists in Synagogues: In Conversation
YouTube video by Sinai and Synapses
www.youtube.com
I'm excited to highlight the incredible work of Sinai and Synapses, which bridges the worlds of religion and science. Having founded it more than 10 years ago, it's been a wonderful and inspiring journey to help rabbis and scientists explore their interaction! www.youtube.com/watch?v=StWe...
Deadline is TOMORROW, December 4th to apply for
@sinaisynapses.bsky.social project Scientists in Synagogues, funded by the John Templeton Foundation! Your community would get $5000 to explore topics such as AI, memory, neuroscience, astrophysics and more! sinaiandsynapses.org/scientists-i...
@sinaisynapses.bsky.social project Scientists in Synagogues, funded by the John Templeton Foundation! Your community would get $5000 to explore topics such as AI, memory, neuroscience, astrophysics and more! sinaiandsynapses.org/scientists-i...
December 3, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Deadline is TOMORROW, December 4th to apply for
@sinaisynapses.bsky.social project Scientists in Synagogues, funded by the John Templeton Foundation! Your community would get $5000 to explore topics such as AI, memory, neuroscience, astrophysics and more! sinaiandsynapses.org/scientists-i...
@sinaisynapses.bsky.social project Scientists in Synagogues, funded by the John Templeton Foundation! Your community would get $5000 to explore topics such as AI, memory, neuroscience, astrophysics and more! sinaiandsynapses.org/scientists-i...
While most of the Jewish community is talking about the Mamdani letter, I wanted to share two letters to which I was just one of only a few rabbis to be invited to add my name, both surrounding AI.
October 24, 2025 at 2:36 PM
While most of the Jewish community is talking about the Mamdani letter, I wanted to share two letters to which I was just one of only a few rabbis to be invited to add my name, both surrounding AI.
The pushback against science was often from a fundamentalist perspective. Now, it's from a pseudo-skeptical framing of "I'm just asking questions here," especially from the manosphere. @adamfrank4.bsky.social explains how we help embrace science once again: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/o...
Opinion | Why Young Men Are Losing Faith in Science
www.nytimes.com
October 6, 2025 at 2:11 PM
The pushback against science was often from a fundamentalist perspective. Now, it's from a pseudo-skeptical framing of "I'm just asking questions here," especially from the manosphere. @adamfrank4.bsky.social explains how we help embrace science once again: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/o...
Sara Wolkenfeld & I are co-editing a special issue of the CCAR Journal about AI (coming out soon!), and she's a wonderful thought partner. How can we be more intentional re: our words & actions, esp as algorithms reduce our ability to think for ourselves? blogs.timesofisrael.com/digital-reso...
The Blogs: Digital resolutions: A liturgical deletion of the cache
We often fall into the habits that tech companies nudge us toward, but we must take greater care and recalibrate our responsibility for the runaway train of AI
blogs.timesofisrael.com
October 1, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Sara Wolkenfeld & I are co-editing a special issue of the CCAR Journal about AI (coming out soon!), and she's a wonderful thought partner. How can we be more intentional re: our words & actions, esp as algorithms reduce our ability to think for ourselves? blogs.timesofisrael.com/digital-reso...
@kentremendous.bsky.social At the Yankees / Orioles game yesterday, my daughter was very upset that the Orioles had a monopoly on great names, but I told her they don’t hold a candle to Trodd Frankensteip and Ssassandra Ssassnorp. But these two may come close!
September 29, 2025 at 2:31 PM
@kentremendous.bsky.social At the Yankees / Orioles game yesterday, my daughter was very upset that the Orioles had a monopoly on great names, but I told her they don’t hold a candle to Trodd Frankensteip and Ssassandra Ssassnorp. But these two may come close!
There are ethical challenges for using AI in sermons. But it's not black-and-white, and the role of the rabbi has changed dramatically. Perhaps AI can help rabbis recenter what makes their job so valuable, important and meaningful. wapo.st/4pEIBgs
Opinion | AI won’t replace your rabbis — but it might save them
Today’s pulpit leaders are overworked and deserve a bit of help with their sermons.
wapo.st
September 22, 2025 at 6:12 PM
There are ethical challenges for using AI in sermons. But it's not black-and-white, and the role of the rabbi has changed dramatically. Perhaps AI can help rabbis recenter what makes their job so valuable, important and meaningful. wapo.st/4pEIBgs
This isn't a new phenomenon, but it raises the question of "efficiency" v. "effectiveness." Technology makes things easier, faster & cheaper -- and that's very useful for *things*. But spiritual work, can't (and shouldn't!) be done for speed. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/14/u...
Finding God in the App Store
www.nytimes.com
September 17, 2025 at 3:24 PM
This isn't a new phenomenon, but it raises the question of "efficiency" v. "effectiveness." Technology makes things easier, faster & cheaper -- and that's very useful for *things*. But spiritual work, can't (and shouldn't!) be done for speed. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/14/u...
The question of AI is not IF it will change the way we engage with text, but HOW. This is still a very new world, with many ethical questions (such as accuracy, economic impact, plagiarism, IP and so on), but I do think that it can be a helpful tool. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/16/m...
A.I. Is Poised to Rewrite History. Literally.
www.nytimes.com
June 17, 2025 at 2:17 PM
The question of AI is not IF it will change the way we engage with text, but HOW. This is still a very new world, with many ethical questions (such as accuracy, economic impact, plagiarism, IP and so on), but I do think that it can be a helpful tool. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/16/m...
We humans can't do anything by ourselves; we need others. Religion has been an incredible source of values for over 10,000 years, and while the way it plays itself out changes over time, the needs it meets will never go away.
theconversation.com/did-humans-e...
theconversation.com/did-humans-e...
Did humans evolve to prefer religion? Research shows many atheists intuitively favour faith
Research highlights Atheists often believe religious faith is positive, even though they don’t hold it themselves.
theconversation.com
May 21, 2025 at 6:17 PM
We humans can't do anything by ourselves; we need others. Religion has been an incredible source of values for over 10,000 years, and while the way it plays itself out changes over time, the needs it meets will never go away.
theconversation.com/did-humans-e...
theconversation.com/did-humans-e...
@sinaisynapses.bsky.social Fellow Ciara Reyes-Ton has started to realize that science is more than studies and publications -- it's communication. How do we not just teach, but inspire? How do we use music, dance, or connections with religion? substack.com/home/post/p-...
Finding My Voice as a Science Communicator
I’ve been working for several years in science communication, but it wasn’t until recently that I realized it.
substack.com
May 12, 2025 at 4:13 PM
@sinaisynapses.bsky.social Fellow Ciara Reyes-Ton has started to realize that science is more than studies and publications -- it's communication. How do we not just teach, but inspire? How do we use music, dance, or connections with religion? substack.com/home/post/p-...
There are areas of both conflict & connection b/w science & religion. But most importantly, scientists are human beings -- passionate, curious, flawed & based in values and communities. That's an area where religion can have something to say to science. www.theatlantic.com/science/arch...
How Scientists Can Be Good Citizens
We have a responsibility to ensure that our discoveries are used in the public interest. That isn’t always easy.
www.theatlantic.com
May 7, 2025 at 3:27 PM
There are areas of both conflict & connection b/w science & religion. But most importantly, scientists are human beings -- passionate, curious, flawed & based in values and communities. That's an area where religion can have something to say to science. www.theatlantic.com/science/arch...
What will we worship in our world today? www.nytimes.com/2025/05/01/o...
Opinion | How to Survive the Trump Years With Your Spirit Intact
I’ve found it necessary to root myself in anything that feels rehumanizing, whether it’s art or literature or learning.
www.nytimes.com
May 2, 2025 at 3:30 PM
What will we worship in our world today? www.nytimes.com/2025/05/01/o...
A very powerful & insightful piece. The Enlightenment, the scientific revolution, and the continual advancement of knowledge and better understanding of our world are good things. AND we need community, guidance, values, exploration -- things that religion can offer. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/18/s...
Americans Haven’t Found a Satisfying Alternative to Religion
Is it any wonder the country is revisiting faith?
www.nytimes.com
April 23, 2025 at 7:21 PM
A very powerful & insightful piece. The Enlightenment, the scientific revolution, and the continual advancement of knowledge and better understanding of our world are good things. AND we need community, guidance, values, exploration -- things that religion can offer. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/18/s...
There's so much in our world that's making us say, "Enough already!" But Dayeinu can remind us that while we focus on the things we are fighting against, it's more effective to focus on what we're fighting *for*, and to celebrate each step along the way.
sinaiandsynapses.org/content/how-...
sinaiandsynapses.org/content/how-...
How Dayeinu Can Help Us Deal with “Enough Already!” - Sinai and Synapses
As we look at this world right now, the framing of Dayeinu can be enormously helpful. It requires us to take things one step at a time.
sinaiandsynapses.org
April 10, 2025 at 8:29 PM
There's so much in our world that's making us say, "Enough already!" But Dayeinu can remind us that while we focus on the things we are fighting against, it's more effective to focus on what we're fighting *for*, and to celebrate each step along the way.
sinaiandsynapses.org/content/how-...
sinaiandsynapses.org/content/how-...
@dzkalman.bsky.social shares the role that Jewish communities can play in ensuring AI remains ethical. While there are limits of what local communities can do, there's more than we might able to expect. jweekly.com/2025/03/07/a...
OPINION | AI’s breakneck speed must not leave ethics in the dust
We cannot wait to speak up until the situation is egregiously (and probably irreversibly) out of whack.
jweekly.com
March 10, 2025 at 3:48 PM
@dzkalman.bsky.social shares the role that Jewish communities can play in ensuring AI remains ethical. While there are limits of what local communities can do, there's more than we might able to expect. jweekly.com/2025/03/07/a...
I was noticing this right as Covid was happening, and especially as we saw this was not going to be "two weeks out of an abundance of caution" -- we were going to be balancing individual rights and communal responsibility. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Opinion | How Covid Remade Our America, Five Years Later
It feels as if the pandemic is behind us. But we’re living in the world it made.
www.nytimes.com
March 5, 2025 at 2:40 PM
I was noticing this right as Covid was happening, and especially as we saw this was not going to be "two weeks out of an abundance of caution" -- we were going to be balancing individual rights and communal responsibility. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Jewish law has an algorithmic aspect to it, and deep text study requires knowledge of a vast corpus, most of which people don't necessarily know (or even have access to) @dzkalman.bsky.social put Deep Search to the test, and it did quite well. www.jellomenorah.com/p/deep-searc...
Deep Search will change Jewish Law
AI is putting high-level legal argumentation in the hands of the public.
www.jellomenorah.com
February 14, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Jewish law has an algorithmic aspect to it, and deep text study requires knowledge of a vast corpus, most of which people don't necessarily know (or even have access to) @dzkalman.bsky.social put Deep Search to the test, and it did quite well. www.jellomenorah.com/p/deep-searc...
'm definitely enjoying reading the excerpts from Ross Douthat's new book on belief, but I generally don't find the Cosmic Purpose argument for God all that convincing. I'm much more inclined to lean towards the experiential perspective (1/2) www.nytimes.com/2025/02/07/o...
Opinion | My Favorite Argument for the Existence of God
We, ourselves, are part of the proof.
www.nytimes.com
February 7, 2025 at 9:41 PM
'm definitely enjoying reading the excerpts from Ross Douthat's new book on belief, but I generally don't find the Cosmic Purpose argument for God all that convincing. I'm much more inclined to lean towards the experiential perspective (1/2) www.nytimes.com/2025/02/07/o...
Though it can be frustrating at times, the bureaucracy of the government is a feature, not a bug. "Moving fast and breaking things" is dangerous for our daily lives, and as ridiculous and awful as Trump's plan is for Gaza, this concerns me more.
www.theatlantic.com/technology/a...
www.theatlantic.com/technology/a...
The Government’s Computing Experts Say They Are Terrified
Four IT professionals lay out just how destructive Elon Musk’s incursion into the U.S. government could be.
www.theatlantic.com
February 7, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Though it can be frustrating at times, the bureaucracy of the government is a feature, not a bug. "Moving fast and breaking things" is dangerous for our daily lives, and as ridiculous and awful as Trump's plan is for Gaza, this concerns me more.
www.theatlantic.com/technology/a...
www.theatlantic.com/technology/a...
@dzkalman.bsky.social (Sinai and Synapses Senior Advisor on technology) highlights some of the literature review on Judaism and AI, both the philosophical and practical questions. A great introduction to where things are, and where they may be going. open.substack.com/pub/jellomen...
Finally, a Jewish AI debate has emerged
The field is broadening. Here's my report card.
open.substack.com
February 6, 2025 at 4:26 PM
@dzkalman.bsky.social (Sinai and Synapses Senior Advisor on technology) highlights some of the literature review on Judaism and AI, both the philosophical and practical questions. A great introduction to where things are, and where they may be going. open.substack.com/pub/jellomen...
So much of AI is the question of "what aspects of humanity might it replace?" Yet artists of all kinds will celebrated for the ineffable parts of our humanity. Since cartoons, by definition, aren't "human," how do we try to see the soul the characters? ’ www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Opinion | Hank Azaria’s ‘Simpsons’ Voices Won’t Be Fully Replicated by A.I.
Soon enough, artificial intelligence may be able to recreate the sounds — but there will be something missing.
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2025 at 5:00 PM
So much of AI is the question of "what aspects of humanity might it replace?" Yet artists of all kinds will celebrated for the ineffable parts of our humanity. Since cartoons, by definition, aren't "human," how do we try to see the soul the characters? ’ www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Many people have strong feelings re: AI (including wanting to ignore it) & it's hard to disentangle its technical, political, social and economic impacts. As the next four years will likely to lead to less and less regulation, we can't ignore its impact. www.natesilver.net/p/its-time-t...
It's time to come to grips with AI
After the election, the timelines are accelerating. We need a pluralistic debate about its implications — but the left is dealing itself out.
www.natesilver.net
January 28, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Many people have strong feelings re: AI (including wanting to ignore it) & it's hard to disentangle its technical, political, social and economic impacts. As the next four years will likely to lead to less and less regulation, we can't ignore its impact. www.natesilver.net/p/its-time-t...
I'm so excited to announce a new project that @sinaisynapses.bsky.social will be launching a new project entitled "Jewish Thought and Jewish Education for the Digital Future," working with @dzkalman.bsky.social, and funded by the John Templeton Foundation!
www.templeton.org/news/announc...
www.templeton.org/news/announc...
Announcing $8M in New Projects to Cultivate Character in the Digital Age
www.templeton.org
January 14, 2025 at 2:37 PM
I'm so excited to announce a new project that @sinaisynapses.bsky.social will be launching a new project entitled "Jewish Thought and Jewish Education for the Digital Future," working with @dzkalman.bsky.social, and funded by the John Templeton Foundation!
www.templeton.org/news/announc...
www.templeton.org/news/announc...
While this piece focuses on Christmas (and so I think it would certainly speak to many Christians), there are definitely analogies in the Jewish calendar -- from lighting candles to open and close to Shabbat, to increasing the lights from one to eight on Hanukkah,
January 13, 2025 at 8:41 PM
While this piece focuses on Christmas (and so I think it would certainly speak to many Christians), there are definitely analogies in the Jewish calendar -- from lighting candles to open and close to Shabbat, to increasing the lights from one to eight on Hanukkah,
In 2018, Congregation Emanu El was chosen as part of @SinaiSynapses' project Scientists in Synagogues, funded by @templeton_fdn to explore the relationship b/w science & Judaism. In 2023, Josh Fixler & Oren Hayon met w/ Sinai and Synapses Fellow Muhammad Ahmad... www.nytimes.com/2025/01/03/t...
Religious Leaders Experiment with A.I. in Sermons
Modern religious leaders are experimenting with A.I. just as earlier generations examined radio, television and the internet.
www.nytimes.com
January 3, 2025 at 2:30 PM
In 2018, Congregation Emanu El was chosen as part of @SinaiSynapses' project Scientists in Synagogues, funded by @templeton_fdn to explore the relationship b/w science & Judaism. In 2023, Josh Fixler & Oren Hayon met w/ Sinai and Synapses Fellow Muhammad Ahmad... www.nytimes.com/2025/01/03/t...