Regional Programs
Zoo Torah programs take place several times a year in different cities.
The Zoo Torah programs for adults and older children include sophisticated and challenging material, and demonstrate that animals are of educational importance for young and old alike.
Programs include Shabbat scholar-in-residence lectures for adults, Torah zoo tours for families, and high-school presentations.
Sample Shabbos Scholar-in-Residence Program
First Presentation: The Animal Kingdom in Jewish Thought
Second Presentation: Man and Beast - Our Relationship with the Animal Kingdom
Third Presentation: The Terror of Dinosaurs
Fourth Presentation: The Evolution of Controversy
Past Locations
North America: New York (Bronx, Kew Garden Hills, Woodmere, Lawrence, White Plains),
New Jersey (Teaneck, Fairlawn, West Orange), Atlanta,
Providence, Baltimore, Washington/Silver Spring,
Philadelphia, Detroit, Los Angeles (Westwood, Beverly Hills),
Irvine, San Diego, Sacramento, Phoenix, St. Louis, Toronto.
Israel: Ra'anana, Rechovot
The Bronx Zoo
“Thank you for the wonderful program you conducted for the professional staff of the Board of Jewish Education of Greater New York.
The presentation was articulate and educationally sound, and helped to bring together Torah and rabbinic texts as well as the insights of science.
I hope and expect that the educational community of the New York area will utilize your programs and materials.”
- Rabbi Arnold D. Samlan, Director of Nassau/ Queens Services, Board of Jewish Education of Greater New York
Kew Garden Hills
"Rabbi Slifkin's visit to our shul was a success on so many levels!
His talks answered questions that had troubled attendees for years.
His mastery of the science and the Torah mekorot made it clear that his presentation was
firmly within the tradition of gedolei Yisrael of all generations.
His humor and oratorical skills made him a pleasure to listen to."
- Rabbi Moshe Rosenberg, Congregation Etz Chaim
Atlanta
"Yasher Koach to you for a wonderful weekend.
Your talks were informative, entertaining and even controversial.
The zoo tours were an eye-opener.
Your presentation is a superb way to present Torah to a group that is looking for something different."
- Rabbi Binyomin Friedman, Congregation Ariel
Washington DC
"Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge concerning animals,
and their relationship to how we live life on this planet, at the
National Zoo.
I don't think I will ever look upon a visit to a zoo in the future in the same way.
Your comedic and insightful observances made the tour both fascinating and educational." - Mark E.
Westwood, Los Angeles
"On behalf of the entire Westwood Kehilla, I would like to take this opportunity
to thank you for your fantastic shiurim.
Not only were they well received and did they spark great interest, but they also inspired much intellectual curiosity.
Surely, the net result will be greater appreciation for the depth of Torah.
May Hashem grant you great success in your groundbreaking work and may you
continue to be a conduit of Kiddush Hashem through your innovative, witty and
sophisticated presentations of His animal kingdom.
We hope that we will be able to schedule you for next year and look
forward to hearing your shiurim in the future." - Rabbi Asher Brander, Westwood Kehilla
San Diego
“Rabbi Natan Slifkin has a special talent in communicating with adults and children which supports his deep enthusiasm for the world of animals.
This combination is to be cherished, developed, and put into play.
I look forward to his spending much time here in San Diego inspiring and teaching.”
- Rabbi Simcha Weiser, Headmaster, Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School
Toronto
"On behalf of the shul I want to thank you for a wonderful Shabbos.
The reports have all been enthusiastic in their praise.
People learned a lot and also felt inspired and enlightened."
- Rabbi Reuven Tradburks, Kehillat Shaarei Torah
"Having just returned from the zoo tour of the Toronto Zoo led by Rabbi Slifkin I just want to say...
When you meet Rabbi Slifkin as I had the pleasure of doing so this weekend you meet such a fine refined wonderful person.
His integrity, sincerity and dedication to Torah shine through.
I and the over 600 people who have heard him in Toronto have been inspired as we were exposed the beauty of Torah in areas that we generally do not deal with.
May G-d grant Rabbi Slifkin the strength to continue his important work in avodat hakodesh."
- Rabbi Jay Kelman, Director, Torah in Motion