Harold Kushner is one of the most read (and recognized) rabbis in the world. And he's coming to Beth El Synagogue on Wednesday, where he'll be giving a talk on "Living A Life That Matters."

Author of the international bestseller, "When Bad Things Happen to Good People," Kushner's visit is part of a tribute to Rabbi Kassel Abelson, who is celebrating his 60-plus years of service to the Beth El community.

Kushner, who is also the author of five other best-selling books on how religion can help people cope with life's problems, has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career.

He's coming to the St. Louis Park synagogue to honor Abelson, who has been Beth El's rabbi for nearly 60 of the synagogue's 86 years in existence.

Abelson is also prominent nationally, and for 15 years was chairman of the Conservative Movement's Law Committee. He's also past president of the Movement's Rabbinical Assembly. Beth El is one of the larger Conservative synagogues in the country with 1,200 households and over 3,000 members.

Kushner's 7:30 p.m. talk on Wednesday is open to the public. Ticket info is at www.bethelsynagogue.org/kushner.