Prof. Eran Kaplan, 6/5/2025—The 1967 Six-Day War has had a profound impact on Israel. Much has been said and written about the regional, geo-political impact of the war; however, its impact on Israeli society, economy and culture were also far-reaching, helping transition Israel from the socialism of its founders to a more individualistic, free-market society that has embraced the (American) West and its values. In this talk, Kaplan explores how a new Israel emerged after the Six-Day War.

Edwin Bernbaum, 6/4/2025—As awe-inspiring features of the landscape, mountains have an extraordinary power to evoke a sense of the sacred. Drawing on personal experiences and extensive research illustrated with spectacular photography, Edwin Bernbaum takes us on a fascinating journey exploring the many ways that mountains embody humanity's highest values and aspirations, with a focus on their singular importance in Judaism.

Rabbi David Kasher, 3/28/2025—This program explores the relationship between the Torah given at Sinai and the Torah developed in the academies of Pumbedita. Through close readings of Talmudic texts and later philosophical and theological interpretations, we will examine the radical concept of the Oral Torah, and try to understand how rabbinic tradition balances sacred origin with human creativity.

Rachel Biale, 5/22/2025—Rachel Biale discusses her book, "And Now Can Love Begin (published in 2024). She wrote this as an imagined memoir, ventriloquizing her parents, Chaim and Anina, who arrived in Palestine in 1942 and 45, respectively. She explains the historical setting of the book and the unusual process of writing a joint memoir as if written by her parents, in contrast and parallel to her 2020 joint memoir with her husband, David Biale z"l, "Aeorgrams Across the Ocean: A Love Story in Letters 1970–72".

Leonard Rothman, 5/21/2025—There are over 1500 unique original antique maps of the land of Israel, including special maps of Jerusalem. This presentation will review antique and modern maps illustrating events in the Bible and details of the Land of Israel. The presentation will feature images of selected maps and a discussion of the cartographers' historical and religious backgrounds, and their impact on their mapmaking.

Dr. Molly Freeman & Prof. Ariel Mayse, 5/8/2025—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.

Dr. Jehon Grist and Dr. Eli Tadmor, 4/4/2025—Biblical Israel’s legacy from its ancient neighbors is not just a saga of conflict. Law, literature, early religious practices, and even food and drink owe much to the surrounding ancient cultures. The presenters explore these points and also discover how both cultures' influence culminate in the Passover narrative and traditions.

Deborah Apple, 4/2/2025—Explore 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. Engage with traditional texts and create a prayer or symbolic action echoing these texts.

Dr. Jehon Grist and Dr. Eli Tadmor, 3/27/2025—Biblical Israel’s legacy from its ancient neighbors is not just a saga of conflict. Law, literature, early religious practices, and even food and drink owe much to the surrounding ancient cultures. The presenters explore these points and also discover how both cultures' influence culminate in the Passover narrative and traditions.

Rebecca Schisler, 3/26/2025—Schisler shares her experience reading Genesis in its original Hebrew, and how the practice brought fresh eyes and profound reinterpretations regarding gender, sinfulness, and seduction to one of the most influential texts on earth.

Dr. Jehon Grist and Dr. Eli Tadmor, 3/20/2025—Biblical Israel’s legacy from its ancient neighbors is not just a saga of conflict. Law, literature, early religious practices, and even food and drink owe much to the surrounding ancient cultures. The presenters explore these points and also discover how both cultures' influence culminate in the Passover narrative and traditions. (Please be aware that, due to a technical issue, only the last 45 minutes of the program were recorded. We apologize for the missing material.)

Nicholas McGegan, 3/11/2025—The Bible has been a font of inspiration for composers throughout the ages. This course pairs passages highlighting dramatic Biblical stories with their interpretations in opera and oratoria spanning Baroque to 20th-century music. In this segment Nicholas McGegan discuss works inspired by Jephta's daughter (Judges, Chapter 11).