37th Annual Samuel & Althea Stroum Lectures in Jewish Studies 2012

The 2012 Stroum Lectures, featuring Dr. Steven Cohen on the topic of "Emerging Patterns of Jewish Identity," will take place on April 23rd and 25th. For complete information and registration for the lectures, please visit: http://jewdub.org/stroumlectures/

Revivals and Awakenings in American Judaism
Professor Jonathan Sarna, Brandeis University

Lectures:

Monday, May 9: THE SHAPING OF AMERICAN JUDAISM
Kosher dessert reception follows first lecture in Kane Hall, Room 225 (Walker-Ames)
Special tribute in memory of Althea Stroum

Wednesday, May 11: THE RESHAPING OF AMERICAN JUDAISMBoth lectures begin at 7:30 p.m., Kane Hall, Room 220, UW Seattle Campus

No charge to attend.

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American Judaism, like much of American religion, has been punctuated by periods of religious revitalization, often known as "revivals" or "awakenings." Usually spearheaded by young Jews, dissatisfied with the religious ways of their parents and fearful that Judaism will not survive unless it changes, these revitalization movements shaped the distinctive character of American Judaism, beginning in the nineteenth century, and more recently have reshaped it. These lectures will focus on several of these revitalization movements, and underscore their importance for renewing, strengthening and transforming American Jewish religious life.
 

About Professor Sarna:
JONATHAN SARNA, is the Joseph H. & Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History at Brandeis University and Director of its Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program. Dubbed by the Forward newspaper as one of America's fifty most influential American Jews, he was Chief Historian for the 350th commemoration of the American Jewish community, and is recognized as a leading commentator on American Jewish history, religion and life. Born in Philadelphia, and raised in New York and Boston, Dr. Sarna attended Brandeis University, the Boston Hebrew College, Merkaz HaRav Kook in Jerusalem, and Yale University, where he obtained his doctorate in 1979. From 1979-1990, Dr. Sarna taught at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, where he rose to become Professor of American Jewish history and Director of the Center for the Study of the American Jewish Experience. He has also taught at Yale University, the University of Cincinnati, and at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Dr. Sarna came back to Brandeis in 1990 to teach American Jewish history in its Department of Near Eastern & Judaic Studies. He served two terms as chair of that department, and now chairs the Academic Advisory and Editorial Board of the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives. In addition, he serves as chief historian of the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia. Dr. Sarna has written, edited, or co-edited more than twenty books, including the acclaimed American Judaism: A History. Winner of the Jewish Book Council's "Jewish Book of the Year Award" in 2004, it has been praised as being "the single best description of American Judaism during its 350 years on American soil."

SPECIAL "BRANDEIS FACULTY IN THE FIELD" EVENT WITH JONATHAN SARNA
EXCLUSIVELY FOR LOCAL BRANDEIS ALUMNI, PARENTS, CHAPTER MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
7:00-9:00 pmFuture Trends in American Jewish Life
The "great recession" changed the face of American Jewish communal life. Though the downturn could have been much worse, the after effects of the market collapse, Madoff, and other scandals continue to ripple. Join us for a discussion about what happened, what may yet happen, and what we can learn from looking back.Hosted by Gina '93 and Marc Gonchar '93 at their home in Bellevue.

Event for UW Graduate Students with Professor Sarna
What Can I Do With My PhD? Public Scholarship, Public Intellectuals, and Opportunities Inside and Outside of Academia
Wednesday, May 11; Noon-1:30 p.m.; 317 Thomson
Prof. Jonathan Sarna will lead a conversation for graduate students to
explore various professional opportunities inside and outside of academic institutions. Join us for pizza and discussion.

Special Event for local Rabbis and Jewish Educators with Professor Sarna
The changes in American Jewish communal life and its influences on Jewish supplementary and day schools today and how Jewish schools can be better prepared to serve the Jewish community.
Thursday, May 12; 9:30-11:00 a.m.; Hillel UW
Bagels & Coffee Served
Please RSVP to Jennifer Cohen: jencohen@uw.edu or 206-543-0138To receive STARS, Clock Hours and JTC credits for attending this session or any of the Stroum Lecture series, please contact Liat Zaidenberg, LiatZ@JewishInSeattle.org
Get to know Professor Sarna's work...