Program for Jewish Civilization

Faith Complex: A Brief Overview
Faith Complex is a show about the collision of religion, politics and art. Faith Complex is a joint production of Georgetown University's Program for Jewish Civilization and the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs.

April 26, 2011
Rabba Sara Hurwitz with Rabba Hurwitz, Dean, Yeshivat Maharat
In this episode of Faith Complex, host Sarah Fainberg talks with Rabba Hurwitz, who is the first woman ordained within Orthodox Judaism.

November 23, 2009
"J Street and the Jewish Divide" with Hadar Susskind, Director of Policy and Strategy at J Street
In this episode of Faith Complex we interview Hadar Susskind, Director of Policy and Strategy at J Street. Mr. Susskind discusses his group’s position on the Gaza War, the Goldstone Report, and sanctions on Iran. We talk about J Street’s apparent move to the political center and what role anti-Zionists played in their recent conference. In order to get a different view, next week we interview Michael Goldfarb, online editor of The Weekly Standard, and a perceptive critic of J Street.

November 7, 2009
"Did Abortion Politics Maroon Healthcare?" with Time Magazine reporter Amy Sullivan
Time Magazine Reporter Amy Sullivan talks about how Catholics and Evangelicals approached the health care debate and how the Obama administration may have flubbed the abortion issue.

October 28, 2009
"Turkey Not Ready for the EU" with former president of Spain, José María Aznar
In this episode of Faith Complex, former Prime Minister of Spain José María Aznar discusses the events of 9/11 and 3/11 and gives reasons why Turkey should not be admitted to the European Union.

October 15, 2009
Michael Eric Dyson on Faith Complex with Georgetown Professor Michael Eric Dyson
In this episode of Faith Complex, University Professor Michael Eric Dyson discusses how race plays a part in understanding the challenges facing the Obama administration. Dr. Dyson also discusses Obama's theology and the importance of Reverend Jeremiah Wright in influencing many of Obama's beliefs.

July 27, 2009
"Secular Americans: Take Heed!" with Katie Paris
In this episode of Faith Complex, Katie Paris speaks with Jacques Berlinerblau about faith as a unifying force in public life. Ms.Paris is the Program and Communications Director at the Washington, D.C. nonprofit organization Faith In Public Life. The organization is a resource center for the faith community with the goal of advancing faith in the public square as a unifying force for justice, compassion and the common good.

June 22, 2009
"Obama's Faith-Based Follies" with Jacqueline Salmon
Jacqui Salmon is a religion reporter from The Washington Post. In this episode of Faith Complex, she discusses the history of the White House Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Initiatives. She begins with the Office's foundation in President Clinton's anti-poverty efforts, then moves its controversial history under President Bush. Finally, she discusses President Obama's current efforts to expand and diversify the Office.

June 14, 2009
"Obama, the Catholic Votes, and the Bishops" with Father Thomas Reese, S.J
In this episode of Faith Complex, Father Thomas J. Reese, S.J., discusses the interplay of the American president, the Catholic Church, and Catholic voters. He talks in depth about the role of Catholic voters in electing President Obama in 2008. Father Reese is the Senior Research Fellow at the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University.

June 03, 2009
"What's Good for Islam? A Secular State" with Abdullahi Ahmed An' Naim
In this Episode of Faith Complex, Professor Abdullah Ahmed An-Na'im discusses Islam, the law, and the modern secular state. Professor An-Na'im is the Chandler Professor of Law at Emory University as well as a Visiting Professor and Senior Fellow at the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affiars. He is also the author of the book "Islam and the Secular State."

May 27, 2009
"Cyber Antisemitism" with David Friedman
In this episode of Faith Complex, David Friedman discusses troubling perceptions of Jews and the source of much modern anti-Semitism. He also discusses the role of the Bernie Madoff scandal in perpetuating negative views of Jews. David Friedman is the Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League in Washington, D.C.

May 22, 2009
"Take Back Your Mosque" with Asra Nomani
In this second episode of "Faith Complex," host Jacques Berlinerblau continues his discussion with Asra Nomani about her experience as a woman in Islam and her attempts to reform her mosque in Morgantown, West Virginia. Ms. Nomani is a journalist and the subject of a PBS documentary entitled, "The Mosque in Morgantown."

May 20, 2009
A Bad Girl of Islam with Asra Nomani
Professor Jacques Berlinerblau, the host of "Faith Complex," talks with Asra Nomani, a journalist and the subject of a PBS documentary entitled "The Mosque in Morgantown." They also discuss Ms. Nomani's book, "Standing Alone in Mecca." This is the first of two episodes with Ms. Nomani.