This course tracks the historical development of antisemitism in Western civilization from the Greco-Roman period to its present resurgence throughout the West. We will discuss the nature of antisemitic prejudice, constructions, and concepts of race, the relationship between antisemitism and anti-Zionism, and the ongoing reality of Jew-hatred as a recurring phenomenon. Together, we will work to understand the sources of antisemitism’s post-Holocaust resurgence, paying close attention to cur... Read more

This class will focus on the moon cycle’s connection to water and traditions of immersion from ancient Mesopotamian myths and rituals to Abrahamic religions—the Jewish mikveh, Christian baptism, and Islamic wudu. Participants will engage with traditional texts, and be given the opportunity to create a prayer or symbolic action echoing these texts.

Claire and Merna Barry—born Clara and Minnie Bagelman in New York City—were a popular singing duo who performed on radio, television, records, and in concert halls and nightclubs from 1937 to 1973. In their elegant form-fitting gowns and coiffed hair, they popularized Yiddish Swing, which melded Yiddish theater tunes with a big-band beat. The sisters also performed highly polished arrangeme... Read more

Join us for a two-part series examining childbirth through the lens of Jewish wisdom, text, and tradition. The two sessions will explore themes of birth and parenting through text study, contemporary midrash (interpretation), and spiritual offerings from birthing parents.

This series is open to anyone interested in the intersection of birth and Judaism, whether you are a birthing parent, a ... Read more

Moses has long been the prototype of the successful revolutionary leader who must cajole his willful followers to cut ties with tyrants and embark on the painful journey from bondage to freedom. The most well-known student of leadership is Niccolo Machiavelli, whose name is synonymous with cunning, amoral political machinations. Yet, he regarded Moses as his model for the ideal leader in The Prince, his famous study of leadership. Join us in an examination of this surprising pairing,... Read more

Grounded in Jewish values and concepts of what it means to be human, we will critically examine the intrusion of AI into increasingly more aspects of our daily experiences. Jewish teachings will provide a framework for critically determining if, what and when to engage with artificial intelligence applications.

With the aid of audio clips, video, still images, and textual comparisons, Seth Rogovoy, author of Bob Dylan: Prophet, Mystic, Poet, will illustrate how Bob Dylan’s songwriting has always been profoundly rooted in Jewish writings, including the Torah, the Prophets, the Talmud, liturgy... Read more

“Hear the gay shouts of liberation in the tents of the just!” (Psalm 118:15). Reciting the festival liturgy on Pride Shabbat was an important innovation—first celebrated at Congregation Beth Simchat Torah in New York in 1973—and so was this early gay-inclusive new translation of the psalm. This session, in honor of LGBTQ Pride, will e... Read more