We invite you to take part in our engaging adult learning opportunities and explore Jewish texts, traditions, and creativity with renowned scholars and educators.
Murray Rottenberg Memorial Lecture &
Scholar in Residence Weekend
We are saddened to learn about the passing of Gerri Rottenberg z"l, who created this Scholar in Residence opportunity in memory of her late husband Murray z"l. As we get closer to the weekend, we will share more information about how we plan to honor both of their memories as a blessing.
JUDY KLITSNER Friday, May 16 - Saturday, May 17
We welcome Judy Klitsner, author of Subversive Sequels in the Bible: How Biblical Stories Mine and Undermine Each Other, as our guest scholar as we remember Murray z"l and Gerri z"l Rottenberg and their love of learning and share this opportunity to explore fascinating and insightful Torah.
Lectures and learning opportunities are described below.
Noah and Jonah: How Similar Stories Say Opposite Things About Human Resilience
Friday, May 16, 7:30 - 8:30 pm
Especially now, in our post October 7 reality, is it possible for human beings to rebound and rebuild after a traumatic event? To reveal the Bible's complex treatment of this question, we will explore the narratives of Noah and Jonah: two stories that share a remarkable number of themes, words and details, yet at the same time present opposing views on notions of resilience and renewal.
Your Brother’s Blood is Crying: Biblical Origins of our Fractured Society
Saturday, May 17, 12:30 - 1:30 pm
For its first human beings, the Bible presents a strife-ridden nuclear family; for its first murder, a fratricide. As we examine several sibling-centered stories in the book of Genesis, we will draw a line from these narratives to the Jewish people today, noting the endurance of “sibling” divisiveness. In our explorations, we will seek signs of hope for repair.
From Echo Chamber to Authentic Inner Voice: The Tower of Babel and the Heroic Midwives of Egypt
Saturday, May 17, 7:30 - 8:50 pm
Two seemingly disparate stories, the Tower of Babel and the enslavement in Egypt, share many surprising similarities. Upon close inspection, we will note that both have much to say about conformist cultures, heroism and the anti-Semitism that is plaguing us today.
