Israeli rabbi Adi Cohen will share his views on peace as a way of living during the ninth annual open peace lecture at the University of Otago tonight.
Mr Cohen, whose lecture is titled "Words, concepts, deeds: Peace as a way of living", was the congregational rabbi at Brit Olam, a progressive Jewish congregation in Israel, before moving with his family to Wellington last May.
He has taught courses in Jewish law and ethics, and became involved in interfaith activities in Wellington as a member of the city's council of Christians and Jews.
Mr Cohen said he became a rabbi after recognising his need, like that of many young Israelis, to reclaim his Jewish culture and religion.
"I see the rabbi as both a religious and social leader," he said.
Challenge arose from making Judaism and Jewish values relevant to each generation, he said.
"Every community has its own unique characteristics, every community has its own nature, and every community wants to grow from strength to strength," he said.
