Continuing Legal Education
Open to all—you need not be a lawyer to attend.

The Alan Papernick Educational Institute Endowment Fund presents a 6-part series taught by Gefsky Community Scholar Rabbi Dr. Danny Schiff.
Cost with credit: $225 series/$45 each individual class
Cost without credit: $200 series/$40 each individual class
Earn 2 ethics credits per class!
CLE: Democracy in Jewish Law
Thursday, September 18 @ 8:30 AM - 10:45 AM EDTIn the ever-evolving landscape of legal practice, understanding the interplay between faith and governance is crucial for lawyers. Join Rabbi Schiff for an engaging CLE that explores the intriguing question: Does Jewish law possess a discernible democratic impulse? Throughout the course, participants will uncover how Jewish legal principles might inform or even enhance democratic practices. Registration opens soon!
CLE: Artificial Intelligence in Jewish Law
Thursday, November 6 @ 8:00 AM - 10:45 AM ESTArtificial Intelligence is no longer a distant concept—it's reshaping our daily lives, professions and perceptions of what it means to be human. From redefining creativity and altering the workplace to challenging traditional notions of privacy and accountability, AI presents both extraordinary promise and profound ethical dilemmas. Join Rabbi Schiff as he explores how Jewish law engages with these rapid technological shifts. This course aims to examine how centuries-old legal principles and moral teachings can illuminate today's most urgent questions about innovation, responsibility and ethical practices. Registration opens soon!
CLE: Non-Compliance—Civil Disobedience Through a Jewish Lens
Thursday, January 15, 2026 @ 8:00 AM - 10:45 AM ESTWhen, if ever, does justice demand defiance? Jewish tradition has long grappled with the tension between obeying civil law and upholding higher moral obligations. Join Rabbi Schiff in reflecting on what it means to live as both a committed Jew and a responsible citizen through rich conversations about the crossroads of ethics, faith and law. Registration opens soon!
CLE: Questioning “Medical Aid in Dying” Laws—A Jewish Evaluation
Thursday, March 12, 2026 @ 8:00 AM - 10:45 AM EDTAs the national conversation around end-of-life autonomy intensifies, the legal landscape is shifting rapidly. In 2025 alone, at least 14 U.S. states introduced new bills—or amended existing ones—addressing medical aid in dying. Join Rabbi Schiff in an exploration of Jewish ethical responses to these developments while examining the balance between compassion and law, autonomy and obligation, suffering and sanctity. Registration opens soon!
CLE: Be Fruitful & Multiply? The Jewish Legal Approach to Procreation
Thursday, April 30, 2026 @ 8:00 AM - 10:45 AM EDTAs birth rates decline across the Western world, governments are responding with a patchwork of policy incentives. From parental leave and childcare subsidies to tax breaks and fertility support. But what role should the law play in encouraging procreation and how might Jewish tradition inform these choices? Join Rabbi Schiff in examining the ethical and legal dimensions of pro-natalist legislation through the lens of Jewish law. Explore questions such as:
- How does Judaism view societal responsibility for childbearing?
- Are there limits to government intervention in private reproductive decisions?
- What insights might Jewish tradition offer in shaping humane, just policies?
CLE: Vaccinations & Public Health—The Jewish Perspective
Thursday, June 25, 2026 @ 8:00 AM - 10:45 AM EDTHow does Jewish law approach public health in an age shaped by pandemics, medical innovation and urgent questions about collective responsibility? From the ethics of vaccination to broader communal interventions, Jewish texts offer a deep and compelling framework for navigating today’s medical challenges. Led by Rabbi Schiff, take a journey into the heart of Jewish legal tradition to tackle the high-stakes questions that define our public health conversations today. Registration opens soon!
Full inclusion is a core value of Jewish Pittsburgh. The Jewish Federation welcomes invitees of all abilities, backgrounds, races, religious affiliations, sexual orientations and gender identities. Please discuss accessibility accommodations with the contact person for this event.
The Gefsky Community Scholar position is endowed by the H. Arnold and Adrien B. Gefsky Endowment Fund of the Federation’s Jewish Community Foundation.
The cost of taking a course is never a barrier to participation. If price is an issue, please contact the organizer of this course, so that we can make the cost of the course comfortable for you.
