Naomi Seidman, 5/20/26 · How did the "Father of Psychoanalysis" sound in the languages of the Jewish people? This three-part series explores the fascinating reception history of Sigmund Freud’s work in Hebrew and Yiddish. We trace the journey of psychoanalytic theory from the clinical halls of Vienna to the bustling world of Eastern European Jewry. By examining how Freud’s radical ideas were translated and transformed, we uncover a unique chapter of Jewish intellectual history where the "unconscious" met the "Holy Tongue" and the vernacular of the masses.

Nick Underwood, 5/19/2026 · How did Jews shape the identity of modern France, and how did Paris transform the Jewish experience? This three-part series journeys through the 19th and 20th centuries to uncover the vibrant, diverse Jewish communities of the "City of Light". From the flourishing Yiddish culture of the Marais to the courage of the French Resistance, we explore a history of revolution, acculturation, and the rise of modern antisemitism. Set to a curated soundtrack of Jewish music, we will navigate the complex dual identity of being "French" and "Jewish," looking beyond the Dreyfus Affair to see how a global center of art and politics became a vital hub of modern Jewish life.

Rabbi Chayva Lehrman, 5/18/2026 · How did the religious landscape of the ancient Near East transform into distinct, competing traditions? This session focuses specifically on Rabbinic Judaism as it began to chart its own path during Late Antiquity. We examine the inter-religious friction and intellectual cross-pollination of the era, uncovering the critical turning points and challenges to authority that shaped the foundations of the modern Jewish world. As the capstone of the series, this session draws together the themes explored throughout.

Reuven Firestone, 5/17/2026 · How did the religious landscape of the ancient Near East transform into distinct, competing traditions? This session focuses specifically on Rabbinic Judaism as it began to chart its own path during Late Antiquity. We examine the inter-religious friction and intellectual cross-pollination of the era, uncovering the critical turning points and challenges to authority that shaped the foundations of the modern Jewish world. This session focuses on Islam.

Nick Underwood, 5/12/2026 · How did Jews shape the identity of modern France, and how did Paris transform the Jewish experience? This three-part series journeys through the 19th and 20th centuries to uncover the vibrant, diverse Jewish communities of the "City of Light". From the flourishing Yiddish culture of the Marais to the courage of the French Resistance, we explore a history of revolution, acculturation, and the rise of modern antisemitism. Set to a curated soundtrack of Jewish music, we will navigate the complex dual identity of being "French" and "Jewish," looking beyond the Dreyfus Affair to see how a global center of art and politics became a vital hub of modern Jewish life.

Nick Underwood, 5/6/2026 · How did Jews shape the identity of modern France, and how did Paris transform the Jewish experience? This three-part series journeys through the 19th and 20th centuries to uncover the vibrant, diverse Jewish communities of the "City of Light". From the flourishing Yiddish culture of the Marais to the courage of the French Resistance, we explore a history of revolution, acculturation, and the rise of modern antisemitism. Set to a curated soundtrack of Jewish music, we will navigate the complex dual identity of being "French" and "Jewish," looking beyond the Dreyfus Affair to see how a global center of art and politics became a vital hub of modern Jewish life.

Rev. Bruce Bramlett, 5/4/2026 · How did the religious landscape of the ancient Near East transform into distinct, competing traditions? This session focuses specifically on Rabbinic Judaism as it began to chart its own path during Late Antiquity. We examine the inter-religious friction and intellectual cross-pollination of the era, uncovering the critical turning points and challenges to authority that shaped the foundations of the modern Jewish world. This session focuses on early Christianity.

Ross Perlin, 4/30/2026 · While half of the world’s 7,000 languages are currently endangered, contemporary New York has become a final sanctuary for linguistic diversity. In this talk, Ross Perlin—co-director of the Endangered Language Alliance (ELA) and author of Language City—reveals the hidden map of over 700 languages spoken in NYC today. Focusing on Jewish languages and the broader impact of global migration, Perlin explores the 15-year effort to document indigenous and oral traditions. We examine how diaspora and multilingualism shape the political, social, and cultural soul of the modern "Language City."

Charlotte Fonrobert, 4/20/2025 · How did the religious landscape of the ancient Near East transform into distinct, competing traditions? This session focuses specifically on Rabbinic Judaism as it began to chart its own path during Late Antiquity. We examine the inter-religious friction and intellectual cross-pollination of the era, uncovering the critical turning points and challenges to authority that shaped the foundations of the modern Jewish world. This session focuses on rabbinic Judaism.

Sarah Abrevaya Stein, 4/16/2026 · This course explores the intimate Jewish histories of the Sephardi Balkans during the 19th and 20th centuries. Following the lives of children, women, and families, we trace the transition from the Ottoman era to the late 20th century. We will examine how major geopolitical shifts in Southeastern Europe reshaped individual lives and severed traditional ties. Through the lens of social history and visual culture, we’ll discover the riveting stories of individuals stretching to embrace modernity while maintaining their Ladino (Judeo-Spanish) heritage.

Robert Alter, Ron Hendel and Robby Peckerar, 4/15/2026 · How have artists across centuries interpreted the Hebrew Bible's most iconic narratives? In this three-part series, renowned scholars Robert Alter and Ronald Hendel join leading art historians to explore the intersection of scripture and visual art. Through the lens of comparative literature and art history, we examine how masterworks by Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and others translate sacred text into image. By pairing close readings of biblical passages with visual analysis, we’ll uncover how painters have wrestled with divine revelation and human frailty. Discover how the hermeneutics of art creates new meanings for classic stories across millennia.

Harry Radousky, 4/6/2026 · How did the baseball diamond become a stage for the Jewish-American dream? From the enigmatic spy-catcher Moe Berg to the powerhouse swing of Hank Greenberg and the legendary left arm of Sandy Koufax, baseball has always been a mirror of the Jewish experience in America. We trace the arc of the National Pastime from the 19th-century pioneers facing pressures of assimilation to the record-breaking 16 Jewish players on today's Major League Baseball (MLB) rosters. Join us for a deep dive into the icons who defined eras and the "hidden" players who built a lasting cultural legacy on the sandlots and in the stadiums.