Live & Learn
Select Tuesday Mornings
10:30am – 12 Noon
On select Tuesdays of month from 10:30 am – 12 noon, a scholar teaches a series of classes on a wide range of topics of Jewish interest. Check your Monday emails for the latest class information and Zoom links.
February 13, 20, and 27, 2024
An Exploration of The Jewish and African American Relationship In America
with Rabbi Baht Weiss
Many Jews believe that African Americans and Jewish Americans share a common history and therefore can empathize with African Americans yet both experiences are distinct and unique. Many Jewish people consider themselves to be minority members and feel marginalized while African Americans often view Jews as “white”. We will discuss these differing beliefs and narratives and discuss our common misconceptions about African American history and the narratives of these two groups of people.
In three sessions we will look at:
1. Jewish involvement in the Civil Rights Movement
2. The Complexities and Challenges- of Black Nationalism and Black Anti-Semitism (Farrakhan, BLM)
3. Where we go from here
March 2024
Elijah’s Journey with Rabbi Jack Luxemburg
Through text, folk tales and liturgy discover how the most contrary of our prophets becomes a symbol of Jewish purpose, pride and hope. A great way to become better acquainted with the most famous guest at the Seder!
April 2, 9, and 16 2024
Parallel Narratives Never Meet: History of the Arab-Jewish Conflict in Palestine/Israel
with Ira Weiss
Palestinians and Israelis each have a national narrative in which the Arab-Jewish conflict plays a critical part. These narratives are the histories that are taught in the schools and reflected in the media, literature, art and personal discourse in the two societies. The two narratives are dramatically different in content, yet each is understood to be the whole truth by most people in each society. In this class we will survey the history of the conflict both as it is depicted in the Israeli and in the Palestinian narratives. Lecture will be augmented by slides and followed by a class discussion.
May 7, 14, and 21, 2024
Cinema Judaica & Jewish Artists & WWII with Ellen Davis
5/7 & 5/14 – Cinema Judaica
When Hitler became Chancellor of Germany in January 1933, his Minister of Propaganda, Joseph Goebbels took control of Germany’s motion picture industry, restricted the content of the films throughout Europe, and banned Jews from employment within it. At the same time, the eight largest Hollywood studios produced, distributed, and frequently exhibited their own films. This two-part program explores the films (American primarily) made before and after Pearl Harbor, during and after the war. It highlights directors, screenwriters, and actors – a tour-de-force of movies at that time.
5/21 – Jewish Artists & WWII
This program offers an overview of Jewish painters, sculptors, printmakers, and photographers as they reacted to the events of World War II. It looks at the works of artists who were born in America, emigrated, or found refuge here. Whether they used a documentary or symbolic approach, focused inward or raged with fierce anger, these artists were not complacent about the events of their day. You will be introduced to some rarely seen artworks.
Live and Learn will continue into the summer. Check back for topics and dates.