Summer Lecture Series – February 2012
Following the Old New Jews: Jewish Identity in the 21st Century Conference (12/13 February) –
some of our international keynotes will deliver a series of public lectures on a diverse and fascinating range of topics.
To download flier, please click Summer Lecture Series [pdf 231kB].
Monday 13 February 7.00pm
H116, H Building, Monash Caulfield
Dr Daniel Gordis speaking on:
2048: Can the Jewish State Survive to the Age of 100
The Jewish State must end, say its enemies. From British academics to hate-filled demagogues like Mahmoud Ahmadenijad, Israel has become the only country anywhere whose right to exist is openly challenged. More alarming, however, is that when even thoughtful Jews are asked why a Jewish state matters, few can offer arguments that go beyond history or the possible future need for Jewish refuge. More compelling and sophisticated arguments for the importance of Israel have never been more critically needed. This lecture focuses on outlining some critical arguments for not only why the Jews need a State, but why humanity as a whole is enriched by the Jewish return to sovereignty.
Dr Daniel Gordis: Senior Vice President of the Shalem Centre, Dr Gordis has written and lectured throughout the world on Israeli society and the challenges facing the Jewish state today. Saving Israel: How the Jewish State can Win a War that may Never End is his latest book.
Admission: $10 (no concession); No prior bookings required.
Tuesday 14 February 7.30pm
H1.25, H Building, Monash Caulfield
Dr David Shneer and Gregg Drinkwater:
Reading the Bible Through a Bent Lens – An Evening with the Editors of Torah Queeries
Join the co-editors of Torah Queeries: Weekly Commentaries on the Hebrew Bible for an interactive presentation inspired by this groundbreaking collection of Torah commentary from NYU Press. What does it mean to ‘queer’ the Torah? What insights might an LGBT perspective bring to the Bible? What can non-LGBT allies learn from the book’s rich perspectives on Judaism’s most sacred text?
Dr David Shneer: Holds the chair of Jewish history at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He researches questions of contemporary Jewish identity and his books include Queer Jews, New Jews: The End of the Jewish Diaspora, Through Soviet Jewish Eyes: Photography, War and the Holocaust.
Gregg Drinkwater: Prior to joining Keshet, Gregg was the director of Jewish Mosaic and one of the organisation’s three co-founders. He is the co-editor, with David Shneer and Rabbi Joshua Lesser, of the book Torah Queeries: Weekly commentaries on the Hebrew Bible inspired by the online Torah commentary project launched by Jewish Mosaic in 2006.
Admission: $10 (no concession); No prior bookings required.
Wednesday 15 February 7.30pm
H1.25, H Building, Monash Caulfield
Professor Samuel Heilman speakin on:
Lubavitch, Messianism, and the Denial of Death: What Menachem Mendel Schneerson Wrought
This talk will explore aspects of Menachem Mendel Schneerson’s, Seventh Rebbe of Lubavitch-Chabad, and how it led to a messianic movement and the denial of his death.
Professor Samuel Heilman: Distinguished Professor of Sociology at City University of New York, Professor Heilman has written numerous articles and reviews as well as 10 books including, Defenders of the Faith: Ultra-Orthodox Jewry, Sliding to the Right: the Contest for the Future of American Jewish Orthodoxy, The Rebbe: The Life and Afterlife of Menachem Mendel Schneerson.
Admission: $10 (no concession); No prior bookings required.
Enquiries: acjc@monash.edu or call 9903 5002