“In a world that is incontrovertibly in shambles, does religious faith make any difference?” asks Dubinsky. “Why bother believing in, let alone praying to, a divinity when things don’t seem to get better?” In this presentation, Dubinsky will share her own spiritual journey through these questions and will explore the Jewish concept of “tikkun olam,” the repair of the world, as a personal and religious practice. Believing that the shards around and within us are “holy fragments,” she pieces together a faith that endures and helps to transform the brokenness of the world.

Before joining Bet Ha’am as its spiritual leader in 2000, Dubinsky served as associate director of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, Pacific Southwest Council, in Los Angeles from 1996-99. She also served as associate rabbi at Congregation Sherith Israel in San Francisco from 1992-96. Dubinsky received her ordination from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion – the academic, spiritual and professional development center for Reform Judaism – and a bachelor of arts in French language and literature from Boston University.

Next in the Spiritual Journeys series is Amy Schmidt, a resident teacher at Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Mass., who will discuss The Transforming Power of Awareness: A Buddhist’s Journey at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, in Skelton Lounge. Call 207-786-8272 for more information.