Background
Kula, Irwin James was born on November 29, 1957 in New York City. Son of Morton and Charlotte Helen (Scher) Kula.
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Irwin James Kula
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Irwin James Kula, religious education educator. Ordained to ministry Jewish Theological Seminary, 1982. Named one of 45 Leaders to Watch, Jewish Week, New York City, 1995, Top 50 Rabbis in America, Newsweek Magazine, 2007. Executive board Rabbinic Cabinet, United Jewish Appeal, New York City, 1986-1988.
Education
Kula received his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Columbia University, B.H.L. from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America (JTSA), and Master of Arts in Rabbinics and Rabbinic Ordination from the JTSA.
Career
In 2008, he was listed as 7th in Newsweek’s “50 most influential rabbis” list. Kula is the author of Yearnings: Embracing the Sacred Messiness of Life and a co-editor of The Book of Jewish Sacred Practices: CLAL’s Guide to Everyday & Holiday Rituals and Blessings. Kula is also the co-host of the weekly radio show, Hirschfield and Kula (KXL, Portland, Oregon).
He is a blogger for The Huffington Post and the WashingtonPost/Newsweek.com’s “On Faith” column, and has appeared on National Broadcasting Company’s The Today Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, as well as on The O"Reilly Factor and Frontline.
Kula is also currently an adjunct faculty member at United Theological Seminary, teaching courses in practical theology. In 2003, Kula hosted a 13-part public television series, Simple Wisdom with Irwin Kula, and had a public television special called The Hidden Wisdom of Our Yearnings.
He was also featured in the 2004 film, Time for a New God, Kula has expressed opposition at proposals for the beatification of Pope Pius XII, who was bishop of Rome during the challenging eras of the Second World War and the Cold War. In January 2009, he also argued that the Jewish reaction to the lifting of the excommunication of bishop Richard Williamson was rather disproportionate.
In July 2010 he strongly criticized the Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish civil rights organization, for its opposition to the construction of Cordoba House, an Islamic cultural center and mosque planned to be built near the World Trade Center site in New York City.
Achievements
Membership
Executive board Rabbinic Cabinet, United Jewish Appeal, New York City, 1986-1988.
Interests
Connections
Married Dana Beth Kurzweil, August 29, 1982. Children: Gabriella, Talia.
Education
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1978
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1982
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1978
Career
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1980 - 1981
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1982 - 1988
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1988
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1988
Awards
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Kula also a recipient of 2008 Walter Cronkite Faith and Freedom Award. Kula was named as one of the leaders shaping the American spiritual landscape by both Fast Company magazine and PBS's Religion and Ethics Newsweekly. Kula received a “Books for a Better Life” award, and his book "Yearnings: Embracing the Sacred Messiness of Life" was selected by Spirituality and Health Magazine as one the 10 Best Spiritual Books of 2006.Kula also a recipient of 2008 Walter Cronkite Faith and Freedom Award. Kula was named as one of the leaders shaping the American spiritual landscape by both Fast Company magazine and PBS's Religion and Ethics Newsweekly. Kula received a “Books for a Better Life” award, and his book "Yearnings: Embracing the Sacred Messiness of Life" was selected by Spirituality and Health Magazine as one the 10 Best Spiritual Books of 2006.