NEW YORK CITY–The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS), in partnership with Congregation Knesset Israel of Pittsfield, Mass., has announced the schedule for its annual summer lecture series in the Berkshires. This year, JTS celebrates its 10th summer of bringing scholars to the region to explore contemporary issues through the lens of Jewish sources. Lectures will take place on three Fridays in July and August from 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. in the centrally located facilities of Shakespeare and Company, 70 Kemble Ave., Lenox, Mass.
Rabbi David Weiner, spiritual leader of Knesset Israel, notes, “JTS in the Berkshires is an unparalleled opportunity for residents and visitors to enjoy intense, relevant, compelling Jewish learning with extraordinary scholars.”
Dr. SHULY RUBIN SCHWARTZ
On Friday, July 12, Dr. Shuly Rubin Schwartz, chancellor of JTS, will reflect on the spike in anti-Semitism following October 7th. Earlier this spring, JTS held a meeting with a diverse group of experts to explore the benefits and challenges of working across boundaries to tackle anti-Semitism. Schwartz will draw from those conversations and share how one of American Jewry’s institutions is addressing the topic. Schwartz, the Irving Lehrman Research Professor of American Jewish History, is a scholar of American Jewish history, and as the eighth chancellor of JTS, the first woman to serve in this role since JTS was founded in 1886.
Dr. SARAH WOLF
On Aug. 9, Dr. Sarah Wolf, assistant professor of Talmud Rabbinics, will discuss how rabbinic literature can help us make sense of one of the most urgent issues we face today: determining the line between truth and falsehood. Wolf’s current research explores the use of emotions as legal categories in rabbinic literature. Her work puts classical Jewish legal thought into conversation with contemporary Anglo-American legal theory.
Dr. YITZ LANDES
On Aug. 23, Dr. Yitz Landes, assistant professor of Rabbinic Literatures and Cultures, will explore how the Talmudic sages understood Torah, and the concept of legacy, and how Jews determine what is passed down to the next generation. Landes’ research focuses on the premodern transmission of Jewish knowledge and the history of the Jewish book. Additionally, Landes works on the development of Jewish ritual and liturgy, topics he addressed in his first book, Studies in the Development of Birkat ha-Avodah. At JTS, he teaches courses on Jewish liturgy, ancient Jewish history, and on Hebrew manuscripts.
Information about the program and ticket purchase may be obtained at visit jtsa.edu/event/jts-berkshires-summer-2024/.
