Book Launch at Fairfield University

Press release

FAIRFIELD, Conn.—On Wednesday, March 6 at 6 p.m., Fairfield University’s Bennett Center for Judaic Studies will host a book launch for The Light of Learning: Hasidism in Poland on the Eve of the Holocaust at the Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford, Conn. The event will feature a nosh and polish vodka tasting with Yoni Miller at 6 p.m. and a lecture with Glenn Dynner, PhD, director of the Bennett Center, and a musical performance by The John Madoff Trio at 7 p.m.

The Light of Learning tells the story of a late-hour Hasidic revival in Poland powered by rigorous Torah study in yeshivas, Bais Yaakov schools, and eventually in underground bunkers during the Holocaust. Torah study emerges as a potent cultural resistance against assimilationist pressures, antisemitism, and anti-Jewish violence.

Dr. Dynner is the Carl and Dorothy Bennett Professor of Judaic Studies and Director of the Bennett Center at Fairfield University; editor of the journal Shofar: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Jewish Studies; and a recent Guggenheim Fellow. He is author of "Men of Silk:” The Hasidic Conquest of Polish Jewish Society (Oxford University Press, 2006), and Yankel’s Tavern: Jews, Liquor & Life in the Kingdom of Poland (Oxford University Press, 2014).

Reservations are requested at fairfield.edu/bennettcenter. Presented free of charge to the community in tribute to the memory of Dr. Hesh Romanowitz ז״ל. The event is co-sponsored by: United Jewish Federation of Stamford, New Canaan and Darien UJA- JCC Greenwich, Congregation Agudath Sholom, Temple Beth El, Temple Sinai, Young Israel of Stamford, Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County, Chabad of Stamford JFS – Greenwich, and Chabad of Greenwich.