Fireworks expected at debate

Deepa Bharath

When two men who can’t stand to be in the same room with each

other grab a microphone to debate controversial global issues, it can

be quite exciting.

Especially when the two men are Dennis Prager and Michael Lerner.

Prager is an author, lecturer, teacher and theologian with a

nationally syndicated radio talk show. Lerner, an eminent and

well-respected author, is a rabbi at Beyt Tikkun, a synagogue in San

Francisco.

The two have not debated in 20 years. But they will end that run

tonight at Temple Bat Yahm in what is expected to be a well-attended

event.

Among the issues they’ll dissect are the Middle East crisis, the

United States and international politics, effects of the elections

and the effect of religion on society.

“It’s going to be fireworks,” said Arie Katz, chair of the Orange

County Jewish Community Scholar Program, the cosponsor along with the

Jewish Community Center of Orange County and Temple Bat Yahm.

“This is a momentous debate,” he said. “It’s going to be a

different experience for Newport Beach.”

Katz said he hopes the speakers, instead of launching personal

attacks, will educate the audience on significant issues.

“The audience will hopefully get a better appreciation of the

issues,” he said.

The debate will allow people to listen to different sides of the

issues because the speakers are on opposite ends of the spectrum on

each and every one of those issues, Katz said.

“Mostly, if it’s a speech, people get to hear only one side of the

story,” he said. “But here, you get both sides in the same place.”

Beth Slavin, spokeswoman for Temple Bat Yahm, said the synagogue

is “very excited to host the event.”

“Although it’s happening here, this is by no means a local event,”

she said. “They’re talking about issues that affect people all over

the world.”