Chabad will host Dr. Laz

Rockaway Township — Dr. David Lazerson, also known as Dr. Laz, will speak at the Chabad Center of Northwest on Friday, Feb. 18, at 6:30 p.m. and on Saturday, Feb. 19, at 12:15 p.m. A live concert will take place with Dr. Laz on Saturday, at 8:30 p.m. The concert will include an eclectic blend of Jewish rock, jazz, blues, folk, country, rap, reggae and traditional Jewish music. Dr. Laz is a nationally acclaimed teacher, musician, conflict resolution specialist and author, lecturer and performer. He is the real-life hero of the movie “Crown Heights,” which stars TV show host Howie Mandel as Laz. The movie is based on Laz’s third book, “Sharing Turf,” which deals with the aftermath of the race riots that hit the community in the early 90s. The two talks on Friday and Saturday will be accompanied by Shabbat meals and the concert will be accompanied by an array of coffees, teas and desserts. The topic for Friday night will be Skullcaps 'n Switchblades. Dr. Laz will share his successes and experiences as an observant Jew teaching in the inner city schools, as well as his experiences as a teacher musician working with special needs children. The topic for the Saturday Kiddush luncheon will be Being Jewish in a Diverse World. Dr. Laz will explore this topic through his experiences as a teacher, musician, and bridge builder between various ethnic groups. The lectures, meals and concert will be held at the social hall of the Chabad Center of Northwest NJ, located at One Torah Way in Rockaway Township. All lectures and meals are open to the broader community. For reservations and more information call 973-625-1525, ext. 202 or visit www.OneTorahWay.org/shabbaton.