Monday, 19.03.12, Pre-conference Workshops day

Three parallel Workshops:

Sociology of Contemporary Spirituality – Prof. Eileen Barker (London School of Economics), Prof. Paul Heelas (Erasmus University Rotterdam)

Kabbalistic Psychology – Prof. Les Lancaster (Liverpool John Moores University) and Dr. Menachem Kallus (University of Haifa)

Transpersonal Psychology – Prof. Harris L. Friedman (Florida University) and Prof. Douglas MacDonald (University of Detroit Mercy)

Plenary Session (open to the public): Disciplinary Struggles: Introducing Spirituality into the Academia

Chair: Prof. Nadav Davidivitch (Ben Gurion University in the Negev) Prof. Jonathan Halevy (Director General, Shaare Zedek Medical Center), Prof. Ofra Mayseless (University of Haifa), Dr. Yaki Menschenfreund (The Open University) Discussion with the Audience

Tuesday, 20.03.12, Conference Papers Presentation day

Inner Life Spiritual Humanism: Healing/the Theraputic and the Cultivation of Humanity

Plenary Chair: Prof. Moshe Idel (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)

Opening remarks: Prof. Ofra Mayseless (University of Haifa)

Lecture: Prof. Paul Heelas (Erasmus University Rotterdam)

Discussion with the Audience

Parallel Symposia: Complementary Medicine and Spirituality, Contemporary Shamanism, Judaism – Contemporary Currents and Phenomena, Western Esotericism,Spirituality in Art, Spirituality in Educational Institutions, Spiritual-Therapeutic Discourse, Women in Contemporary Theology, Contemporary Paganism, Comparative Research between Kabbalistic and Asian Traditions, Social Justice and Activism – Spiritual Aspects, Transpersonal Psychology, The Jewish Renewal Movement, Contemporary Sufism in a Globalized Context...

Evening Plenary (open to the public): The Involvement of the State in the Contemporary Spiritualities' Field - Sociological, Psychological and Legal Perspectives

Chair: Prof. Eileen Barker (London School of Economics)

The psychological state of individuals in New Religious Movements: Is there a reason for concern - Prof. Eli Somer (University of Haifa)

The Legality of Criminalizing Cult Activities - Prof. Ariel Bendor (Bar-Ilan University)

Discussion with the Audience

Conference's committee chairwomen: Prof. Ofra Mayseless (University of Haifa), Dr. Marianna Ruah-Midbar (University of Haifa and Zefat Academic College).

Academic committee members: Prof. Moshe Idel (Hebrew University of Jerusalem), Dr. Danielle Gurevitch (Bar-Ilan University), Prof. Nadav Davidovitch (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev), Prof. Mario Mikulincer (Interdisciplinary Center in Herzeliya), Prof. Jacob Raz (Tel Aviv University), Prof. Yossi Yona (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev), Prof. Ilana Silber (Bar-Ilan University).

International Advisory Board: Prof. Eileen Barker (London School of Economics), Prof. Harris L. Friedman (University of Florida), Prof. Tobin Hart (University of West Georgia), Prof. Wouter Hanegraaff (University of Amsterdam), Prof. Paul Heelas (Erasmus University Rotterdam), Prof. James R. Lewis (University of Tromso), Prof. Lisa Miller (Columbia University), and more