Crucial Moments: Israel History Through Stories with Dr. Meskin

Next Event: November 1, 2016 Concord $180.00 - $270.00
(Photo by Zoltan Kluger/GPO via Getty Images)
(Photo by Zoltan Kluger/GPO via Getty Images)

This course aims to introduce students to certain critical moments in the history of the modern state of Israel through short stories. The stories we will read together range from the earliest days of the pioneers to the twenty-first century. Written by men and women, Ashkenazim and Sefardim/Mizrachim, Jews and Arabs, secularists and traditionalists, these stories open up for us uniquely visceral and imaginative windows on many of the compelling events that have shaped the history of Israel.

Although our focus each week will be on the stories, excerpts from various academic and secondary sources will also be supplied, in order to provide historical background for the setting of each story. Depending on logistical considerations we may also screen one or two Israeli films, which tie in to some of the stories.

The somewhat unusual approach taken in this course arose from the instructor’s observation that, for busy adult students, these remarkable stories often crystalized the central conflicts, prevailing dynamics, and crucial issues in Israeli history much more powerfully than expository and discursive works. It is hoped that studying these stories will propel students to investigate even more deeply and thoroughly the rich historical contexts out of which they arose.

Dr. Jacob Meskin teaches in and trains faculty for Me’ah, Hebrew College’s adult Jewish learning program. He also teaches for the Tzion program, and for various synagogue groups in the Boston area. He is one of the co-authors of the curriculum for Parenting Through A Jewish Lens and works as a consultant on adult Jewish education and teacher training in the Boston area. Meskin was the inaugural holder of the Ruderman Chair in Jewish Studies at Northeastern University, and has taught at Princeton University, Rutgers University, the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Yeshiva University, Williams College and Lehigh University. His articles have appeared in Modern Judaism, The Journal of Religion, Soundings, Levinas Studies, Judaism, Cross Currents, Educational Philosophy and Theory, and in several edited volumes. Despite being a transplant from New York City, Meskin has become an avid Boston sports fan. His hobbies include chess (which he thinks he’s good at), Go (which he wishes he were good at), old movies, and Indian vegetarian food. He lives with his wife and daughter in Brookline.

+ More... - Less...
Fact Sheet
When
Tuesday, November 1, 2016, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Tuesday, November 8, 2016, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Tuesday, November 15, 2016, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Tuesday, November 22, 2016, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Tuesday, December 6, 2016, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Tuesday, December 13, 2016, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

load more
Where
Kerem Shalom
659 Elm St
Concord, MA 01742
Organized By
Price
$180.00 member
$270.00 non-member

CJP provides the above links concerning third-party events for your convenience only. CJP has no control over the content of the linked-to websites or events they describe, and accepts no responsibility for the websites, including any advertising or products or services on or available from such sites, or for any loss or damage that may arise from your attending, or registering to attend, the described events. If you decide to access any of the third-party websites linked to below, you do so entirely at your own risk and subject to the terms and conditions of use for such websites and event attendance. CJP is not responsible or liable to you or any third party for the content or accuracy of any materials provided by any third parties. All statements and/or opinions expressed in the linked-to materials or at the described events, and all commentary, articles and other content provided at the third-party websites or at the events, are solely the opinions and the responsibility of the persons or entities operating the linked-to websites and events. The inclusion of any link on this website does not imply that CJP endorses the described event, or the linked-to website or its operator. MORE

More From...

More In...

More At...