Larry Lesser

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: On connections between Judaism and math/statistics, he has published national journal articles and presented to varied audiences. He’s also written dozens of highly original Jewish songs, some of which have been recorded on other artists’ CDs (Sababa; Ellen M. Wilson; Larry Bach), featured on a radio interview, or performed at festivals, concerts, conferences, services, community rallies, and classes.

 

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Larry notes:  B’ruchim Haba’im! I grew up with strong (though not highly informed) Jewish identity and later began a spiritual journey spanning nearly every stream (giving me a foundation to appreciate and connect with highly diverse audiences) before meeting at a Jewish Renewal congregation my soulmate who is Modern Orthodox. I’ve long sought why as well as how and I believe Jewish learning should be ongoing (in addition to partaking of various local options, I’ve been learning weekly since 2006 with a telephone chavrusa in Brooklyn). I especially enjoy sharing these foci:

 

Judaism & Mathematics

 

“His [April 2018] talk was both meaningful and accessible. All who were present had an uplifting and thought-provoking opportunity to learn. And on top of that, we all laughed with Dr. Lesser a great deal.” – Rabbi Ben Zeidman, Temple Mount Sinai, El Paso

 

An award-winning Professor at The University of Texas at El Paso (same 31.76oN latitude as Jerusalem!), Dr. Lesser conducts research in statistics/mathematics education.  He was listed as a supporting faculty member throughout the existence (2005-2018) of the UTEP Inter-American Jewish Studies Program and a few of his 100+ scholarly papers connect mathematics/statistics with Judaism. Since 1997, Lesser has given presentations on this intersection in forums including the International ALEPH Kallah, citywide Yom Limmud or Tikkun Leil Shavuot events (e.g., Houston, El Paso), individual congregations (from Modern Orthodox to post-denominational; for example, here), and pluralistic day schools or Sunday schools (e.g., Ft. Collins, El Paso, Houston, Albuquerque, Austin). Lesser makes material engaging and accessible for audiences of varied (Jewish or mathematical) backgrounds. 

In May 2006, he published in Journal of Mathematics and Culture the first juried comprehensive education-oriented article on Jewish mathematics, based on his years creating curriculum integration as a full-time mathematics teacher at a pluralistic community Jewish high school.  The article offers both scholarly background as well as diverse classroom-tested examples of not only the obvious area of gematria, but also quotations, mathematical firsts, counting (permutations, marking time, etc.), infinity, pi, mathematical modeling, geometry, logic, and connections to Jewish text/customs/holidays/games (e.g., dreidel).  These enhancements connected to school culture/activities and appeared to help motivate some students towards broader view and deeper engagement. Lesser published a related 2013 short piece in The Jewish Educator and a longer followup 2016 paper in Journal of Mathematics and Culture(JMC). The two JMC papers will appear as chapters in a 2019 book.

Also, Lesser explored language/culture parallels between math education and Judaism in a 2015 paper in Teaching for Excellence and Equity in Mathematics and contributed (with Steve Varela’s team commissioned by the Texas Holocaust and Genocide Commission) to the 2015 ethics module Integrating Ethics from Thought to Action.

Judaism & Music

 

“deep, thoughtful and sometimes funny songs” – The [El Paso, TX] Jewish Voice (Nov. 2018)

 

“Your performance was heartfelt and meaningful. You are truly a talented and creative performer.”     “Can’t thank you enough. They loved you.” –executive director Robert French, The Jewish Federation of Greater El Paso

 

Lesser’s liturgical “Healing Song” appears on CDs (former UTEP voice instructor Ellen M. Wilson’s 2008 Songs of Ascent and former UTEP Religious Studies instructor Larry Bach’s 2013 Openings), was featured in an NPR station interview, was featured in a blogpost of the literary journal of the Center for Bioethics and Humanities at SUNY Upstate Medical University, and has been used in congregations in several states (TX, CO, ME, NC, etc.). Other publicized songs include “Lights Lead Home” (in a 2010 national resource guide on B’nei Anusim compiled by Rabbis Steven Leon and Juan Mejía), “What We’ll Bring” (based on Parashat Terumah, it’s on Sababa’s 2007 CD Pray for the Peace; sheet music), and “Sderot Sky” (to open a 300-person community-wide “Stop the Sirens” program). Lesser’s national and regional songwriting awards include awards for some of his Jewish songs such as “Jerusalem” (2nd-place award in the songwriting contest of the 1993 Celebration of Jewish Arts and Culture event held in Austin). Larry’s songs sometimes bridge Jewish and general audiences, such as when his peace-seeking song “Break” premiered at the Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall in 2018 by UTEP’s stellar middle eastern music ensemble. 

 

Lesser has over a concert’s worth of original songs explicitly inspired by Jewish text/lessons – and these deeply spiritual songs work in a concert or class setting, and (e.g., by being almost all in English) are accessible to audiences of varied backgrounds. (With sensitivity to these varied backgrounds, his songs focus on texts/themes that cut across denominations and, for example, avoid holy names or unnecessarily gendered language, and offer something for seekers as well as believers.) He also has many songs about Jewish dynamics, history, and culture that provide a blend of meaning, warmth, and humor. Lesser has performed at most annual Sephardic Anusim Conferences (for which Cong. B’nai Zion received a 2009 Solomon Schecter Gold Award for Synagogue Excellence in Celebrations and Dedications): see photo and video1 or video2. He has performed at museums or congregations of virtually all denominations and has also provided guitar or percussion (e.g., here or here) for local artists. Also, he has performed with diverse touring artists, ranging from Shmuel “Torah Fiddler” Geller (raising money for his Ohr Yaakov school in Zichron Yaakov) to Robbi Sherwin.  In 2012, Lesser performed in the “Los Tres Larrys y Alison” concert that raised several hundred dollars for the Kelly Memorial Food Pantry, and in the followup concert in 2014 (reported here) that benefitted food pantry Casa de Peregrinos and soup kitchen El Caldito. He was a featured performer in the 2015 Café Andalus debut at El Paso’s Anusim Center, a 2016 Lag B’Omer concert, a community-wide Jewish music festival Yom HaShir 2018 (at which he did a half-hour set to open for headliner Chava Mirel; see story), and a 2019 Café Europa performance.

 

Lesser has taught classes on song for general audiences (e.g., UT-Austin Informal Classes) and for varied Jewish audiences, including classes for secondary school students (at El Paso’s Chai High and Houston’s Emery HS), and classes (with R. Larry Bach) for El Paso’s Yom Limmud. Lesser published a letter on music and Judaism in CJ: Voices of Conservative/Masorti Judaism (Summer 2008) and made contributions to Rabbi Tzvi Gluckin’s 2011 book Knee Deep in the Funk: Understanding the Connection between Spirituality and Music.

 

Lesser’s Jewish poetry has appeared in Poetica Magazine: Contemporary Jewish Writing, DRASH: Northwest Mosaic, BorderSenses Literary Magazine, Mizmor Poetry Anthology,

and two top national pedagogical newsletters published his “Opening Intentions” piece inspired by a siddur reading. Also, he had a poem published in the summer 2019 CCAR Journal and wrote the winning cartoon caption for the March/April 2019 contest (drawn by New Yorker cartoonist Ben Schwartz) held by independent Jewish periodical Moment Magazine. Also, Lesser published a letter about Jewish learning (fall 2009 American Jewish Spirit), a letter about Israel (12/12/17 El Paso Times), 30+ interviews/columns on religion/arts for El Paso’s monthly Jewish newspaper (the Jewish Voice), and has used his award-winning pedagogical skills to give (for varied multi-congregational settings, audiences, and formats) engaging interactive talks such as:

 

“A Great Sage of the Talmud” – a source-based discussion of Bruria

 

"How We Count: A Math Professor Connects to Judaism" -- an engaging exploration of how Jewish values are embedded in the very way we mark time, count in holy texts, and count our fellow Jews.  

 

"Lots and Lotteries" -- an engaging exploration of Jewish texts and views on chance -- ranging from the ancient casting of lots to modern playing of lotteries

 

"Composing a Path: A Songwriter Connects to Jewish Spirituality" -- a published, award-winning songwriter shares examples of spiritual songcraft deeply grounded in Judaism, but accessible to all 

 

"What is Jewish Pluralism?" -- Pluralism is rooted in Jewish text and goes beyond tolerance or relativism. Informed by a Jewish path that has been greatly enriched by friends, family and experiences in almost all denominations, I will lead a provocative and respectful conversation on inspiration and challenges pluralism offers all of us.

 

"Attitude of Gratitude" -- how Jewish is Thanksgiving? Let's be thankful for this interactive discussion to explore how gratitude matters and how this character trait is built into the Jewish people: our text, our prayers, our mussar tradition, even our very name!

 

"Who is Wise?" -- a professor discusses secular and Jewish perspectives of what makes someone wise

 

"Power of a Smile" -- more than personality, this act is a Jewish text-based value