The New York-based Touro College and University System is pleased to announce a yearlong lecture series it is bringing to Orlando in partnership with The Roth Family JCC of Greater Orlando.

The inaugural lecture, "Hope in the Midst of Despair," will be delivered on Thursday, May 24, by Rabbi Alan G. Ciner, vice president of Community Engagement at TCUS. It will be held at The Roth Family JCC, located at 851 N. Maitland Ave. in Maitland, Fla., starting at 7 p.m.

"This lecture series and other such programs reflect Touro's sharing its academic and religious resources with communities throughout the United States and Canada," said Rabbi Ciner. "By going beyond the classroom, Touro offers individuals outside of the Touro orbit the benefit of learning and studying with Touro faculty and deans, thereby becoming part of the Touro family."

Added Keith Dvorchik, chief executive officer of The Roth Family JCC, "We are so excited about our new partnership with Touro College. Bringing high-level lecturers to The Roth Family JCC to speak on interesting and timely topics is a benefit to the entire Central Florida Community."

Touro is America's largest not-for-profit independent institution of higher and professional education under Jewish auspices. Touro's schools provide diverse, innovative and engaging course offerings, from medicine and pharmacy to law; business to education; and speech pathology to Jewish studies-all reflecting the Jewish commitment to values and respect for applied knowledge and discovery.

Founded in 1970 by Dr. Bernard Lander, of blessed memory, TCUS has over 19,000 students spanning four states and four countries, pursuing graduate, professional and undergraduate degrees at over 30 campuses and locations.

"At Touro, Jewish and universal values are aligned to educate thoughtful citizens dedicated to building a responsive and responsible society," said TCUS President Dr. Alan Kadish.   

"Touro was established to follow the Jewish ideal of strengthening Jewish continuity while serving the global community," noted Rabbi Ciner.  "We, at Touro, are most excited about this program and look forward to its success."

Rabbi Ciner's lecture on May 24th will be followed by eight others through May 2019 in an effort to share Touro's values and resources on other topics with the Central Florida community. The upcoming study and learning sessions include:

• Oct. 23-Dr. David Luchins, Founding Dean, Lander College for Women/The Anna Ruth and Mark Hasten School, "The Liberal Case for Israel"

• Nov. 6-Dr. Steven Huberman, Founding Dean, Touro College Graduate School of Social Work, "Rebuilding Jewish Bridges: Alliances with the Hispanic and African American Communities"

• Dec. 11-Dr. Dana Fishkin, Assistant Professor Humanities, Lander College for Women/The Anna Ruth and Mark Hasten School, "Medieval Hebrew Poets: Heroes or Villains"

• Jan. 24-Dr. Alan Kadish, President, Touro College and University System, "Quantum Mechanics and How God Might Run the Universe"

• Feb. 13-Rabbi Alan G. Ciner, Vice President of Community Engagement, Touro College and University System, "Biblical Profiles in Courage: Bringing About a More Perfect World"

• March 14-Matthew Bonilla, M.S., Vice-President of Student Administrative Services, Touro College and University System, "Contemporary College Life as a Venue for Future Success"

• April 2 - Dr. Henry Abramson, Academic Dean, Lander College of Arts and Sciences, "Jews Discover Politics"

• May 15 - Dr. Steven Huberman, Founding Dean, Touro College Graduate School of Social Work, "Extremism in America"