Barrie Schwortz, an Orthodox Jew, spends much of his time educating Christians that the Turin Shroud may well be an artifact of Jesus. An expert on imaging, he was the official documenting photographer for the Shroud of Turin Research Project (STURP), the 1978 team that conducted the first in-depth scientific examination of the Shroud. In 2009, he founded the Shroud of Turin Education and Research Association, Inc. (STERA, Inc.). Schwortz began as a skeptic of the shroud, but by scientific evidence became absolutely convinced of its authenticity. To be open-minded and brave enough to immerse oneself in the evidence of beliefs that go against your own, and allow yourself to be convinced of their validity, requires a courage and honesty that not many can claim. This is what Barrie Schwortz has been doing for the past 30 years.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)