The Elie Wiesel Center for Judaic Studies Lehrhaus
The Elie Wiesel Center for Judaic Studies presents three study sessions from a variety of faculty members:
Michael Grodin, School of Public Health
“Holocaust Responsa”
1 p.m.
Dr. Grodin will introduce Rabbi Ephraim Oshry’s Responsa from the Kovno Ghetto during the Holocaust, in English, framed by the historical events of the Ghetto and the institution of the Judenräte. The focus is on choices of who should live and who should die…Jewish Law and the Rabbis’ where asked unfathomable questions.
Diana Lobel
“Maimonides on Natural Virtue and the Ethical Struggle.”
2 p.m.
Professor Lobel will lead an interactive text study of Maimonides’ Eight Chapters on Ethics (Shemonah Perakim) Chapter 6, in which Maimonides wrestles with the question of whether it is preferable to be virtuous by nature or to struggle for growth.
Pnina Lahav, School of Law
“The Women of the Wall”
3 p.m.
Prof. Lahav will lead a conversation about the Israeli law of holy places and high court decisions on the case of women’s public Torah study at the Western Wall, shedding light on the ongoing clash between orthodoxy and gender equity.
Abigail Gillman
“Franza Kafka: a Jewish Writer?”
4 p.m.
Professor Gillman will examine some of Kafka’s very short stories and parables with an eye towards understanding why the most important German writer of the 20th century is also a quintessential Jewish writer.
Date: Sunday, September 23
Time: 1–5 p.m.
Location: The Elie Wiesel Center for Judaic Studies, 147 Bay State Road, Rooms JSC 201 and JSC 202
Cost: Free
