Exploring the Moral and Legal Frontiers of Space Travel and Human Expansion Beyond Earth Should humanity spend billions on space while Earth’s moral crises remain unresolved? Who owns the Moon, Mars, and the resources of outer space? If murder occurred on Mars, whose laws would apply? What does the Talmud say about extraterrestrial life — and should we search for it? THROUGH THE PRISMS OF US SPACE LAW AND THE TALMUD Thursday, August 13, 12:00-1:40pm ET Approved for 1.5 CLE Credits (including 1-hr ethics) Featuring: Dr. Matthew H. Hersch, J.D., Ph.D.Harvard University | Adjunct Professor of Law, Seton Hall University School of LawDr. Hersch is a leading historian of science and technology whose scholarship explores the history, ethics, and policy of space exploration. He is a Fellow and Adjunct Professor of Law at Seton Hall University School of Law, a Golieb Fellow at NYU School of Law, and a Faculty Associate in the Department of the History of Science at Harvard University. Dr. Hersch holds degrees from MIT, NYU School of Law, and the University of Pennsylvania, and has held fellowships with NASA and the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. He is the author of Dark Star: A New History of the Space Shuttle and co-editor of War and Peace in Outer Space: Ethical and Legal Boundaries. Rabbi Mordechai BecherProfessor at Yeshiva UniversityRabbi Mordechai Becher, originally from Australia, is an instructor at Yeshiva University and alumni Rabbi of Neve Yerushalayim College. He received his ordination from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem and holds an MA in Medieval Jewish History from the Bernard Revel Graduate School. He taught at Ohr Somayach and Neve Yerushalayim in Jerusalem and served in the Israel Defense Forces. Rabbi Becher has answered thousands of questions on AsktheRabbi.org, presents a Talmud class, Dimensions of the Daf, for the Jewish Broadcasting Service and was senior lecturer for Gateways for 20 years. Rabbi Becher’s latest book, Gateway to Judaism, published by Artscroll, is in its tenth printing. He has taught in the USA, Canada, England, Israel, South Africa, Australia and Russia, and is a scholar in residence for Legacy Kosher Tours. He has led tours in Africa, Australia, Asia, Europe, Central America and the Middle East. Harvey SchabesFormer Senior NASA EngineerHarvey Schabes is a veteran NASA engineer and aerospace leader whose career at NASA Glenn Research Center has spanned more than three decades. During that time, he has served as a research engineer, project engineer, project manager, senior strategy manager, and technology transfer leader, contributing to advanced aeronautics research, the International Space Station program, and partnerships that bring NASA innovations into practical use. He began his career developing computer models and conducting testing for aircraft de-icing systems before assuming leadership roles across both technical and administrative organizations. An engaging and accomplished speaker, Mr. Schabes is widely recognized for making the science, engineering, and human challenges of space exploration accessible to general audiences. Drawing on firsthand experience, he offers unique insight into the technologies, decisions, and ethical questions that accompany humanity's expanding presence beyond Earth. Moderated by: Rob AxelrodPresident and Principal Architect, Technotics, IncRob has been a leader in enterprise collaboration technology for nearly 30 years. During that time, he has delivered technology seminars and training programs across six continents, educating tens of thousands of professionals worldwide.
