History & Thought
Tue 16

- Pacific Time Series

Profs. Robert Alter & Ron Hendel—The Bible Now: Genesis (Zoom only)

Virtual Program

Explore the book of Genesis: major themes, style, character, and authorship. Topics include: Origins, Ancestors, Jacob's Family, and Joseph and His Brothers. We will also consider Genesis within the broader context of ancient Near Eastern literature. The recommended translation is Robert Alter, Genesis: Translation and Commentary.

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Thu 23

- Pacific Time Series

Multiple Presenters: Walking in the Valley of the Shadow

Virtual Program

In partnership with Sinai Memorial Chapel, the Ben Zakkai Institute, and Bay Area synagogues

Jewish ways in death and dying: traditional and contemporary concepts and practices, the approach of death, dying and burial, grief and comforting the bereaved.

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Location

JCC of the East Bay

1414 Walnut Street
Berkeley, CA 94709 + Google Map

Base Bay Area

Base Bay Area is on the Berkeley-Oakland border in Rockridge. Exact location will be provided upon r
CA + Google Map

Kehilla Community Synagogue

1300 Grand Avenue
Piedmont, CA 94610 + Google Map
Wed 14

- Pacific Time

Ken Blady and Amrik Singh Pannu—Sikhs & Jews: Twins Separated at Birth? A Multimedia Presentation (Zoom only)

Virtual Program

The Sikhs have much common with Haredi Jews. Like the Jews, the Sikhs lost their kingdom, and have long struggled to re-establish an independent homeland, for which their people have been massacred in the hundreds of thousands. Sikhs have created vibrant diaspora communities throughout the world. There are also marked differences, among others, regarding circumcision and fasting. We will explore both similarities and differences.

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Mon 12

- Pacific Time Series

Dr. Rivka Amado: Ladino History, Culture, Music & Language (3-part series, Zoom only)

Virtual Program

In partnership with Congregation Etz Chayim, Palo Alto

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Instructor

Sun 04

- Pacific Time

Dr. Rivka Amado—First Session: Ladino History, Culture, Music & Language (In Person or on Zoom)

Virtual Program

In partnership with Congregation Etz Chayim, Palo Alto

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Location

Congregation Etz Chayim

4161 Alma Street
Palo Alto, CA 94306 + Google Map

Instructor

Sun 10

- Pacific Time

Prof. Jeremy Popkin—Zelda Popkin: A Jewish Woman Ahead of Her Time

Virtual Program

In celebration of Women’s History Month

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Instructor

Wed 06

- Pacific Time

Dr. Ron Feldman—Why Jewish Holidays Are Always Late or Early: How the Jewish Calendar Evolved (Zoom only)

Virtual Program

This class will examine Jewish timekeeping as a way to understand Jewish attitudes toward the natural world. In particular, we will trace the history and differences among ancient Jewish calendars of the Bible, Dead Sea Scrolls, and Talmud with particular focus on different ways of incorporating the rhythms of the lunar month (a natural cycle) and Sabbath (a non-natural cycle).

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Instructor

Tue 19

- Pacific Time Series

Multiple presenters: The Heretic in the Room (Zoom only)

Virtual Program

In partnership with the Center for Jewish Studies at the Graduate Theological Union

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Sun 31

- Pacific Time

Katrin Kogman-Appel—The Kennicott Bible: A Masterpiece of Jewish Book Art (Zoom only)

The Kennicott Bible is one of the most celebrated illuminated Hebrew Bibles that survives today, delighting readers since its completion in 1476. Originating from La Coruña in northern Spain, it features lavish carpet pages, gold leaf silhouettes, and abundant marginal decorations. This extraordinary illuminated manuscript is a treasure trove of history, culture, devotion, art, and cross-cultural collaboration.

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Instructor

Mon 04

- Pacific Time

Prof. Rachel B. Gross—Beyond the Synagogue: Jewish Nostalgia as Religious Practice

In partnership with the Contra Costa JCC

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Instructor

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