will be in residence at Temple Gates of Heaven in Schenectady Jan. 9–11. A Saturday evening
concert will be featured on Jan. 10 at 7:30 p.m. Photo by Edward Acker courtesy of
https://www.dougmishkin.com/epk#press.

SCHENECTADY–Congregation Gates of Heaven (CGOH) will welcome Doug Mishkin, lawyer, educator, and singer-songwriter as scholar- and artist-in-residence from Jan. 9–11. A Saturday evening concert will be featured on Jan. 10 at 7:30 p.m. The temple is located at 852 Ashmore Ave., Schenectady.

Mishkin, according to organizers, known in the Reform Jewish community for his scholarship, his music, and his commitment to social justice, will share a weekend of learning, reflection, and song. 

The weekend theme: “The Un-Separation of Church and State: From the Scopes Monkey Trial to Today’s Supreme Court” will be reviewed and discussed in three presentations.

Mishkin will explore questions about science, religion, and American constitutional history.

The Shabbat evening service at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, will feature his first presentation, “The Scopes Monkey Trial: What happened, why it mattered and why it matters now.” The Saturday Torah study session  at 9 a.m. will delve deeper, “Texts on Trial: How Religious and Legal Texts shaped Scopes And Shape Today’s Constitutional Debates.” Mishkin’s theme on Sunday at a 9:30 a.m. brotherhood breakfast will examine the impact today of the Scopes trial. “From Dayton To D.C. : How Scopes Influences Today’s Supreme Court And The Future Of Religious Freedom” will conclude his presentations.

Mishkin, devoted to social justice issues, has performed his music at URJ Biennials, Consultations on Conscience, and the 50th anniversary commemoration of Bloody Sunday in Selma.  In conjunction with his presentations, he will offer his musical talents in concert on Saturday, Jan. 10, at 7:30 p.m. According to congregation organizers, Mishkin’s 2025 album “Tip of the Spear” has garnered glowing praise as “a thoughtful and beautifully crafted folk album” and “a tapestry of civil rights struggles, personal stories, and empathy.” His album-release performance at the Guthrie Center sold out, and he continues to perform at acclaimed venues, including the Bitter End in New York City. 

All programs are open to the community. Information may be obtained at the congregation’s website, www.cgoh.org or from the synagogue office at 518-374-8173, or e-mail arotenberg@cgoh.org.