COME AND LEARN AT BETH AHM THIS SUMMER!
4-part series for teen and adult learners
Join Prof. Howard N. Lupovitch for a panoramic exploration of the fascinating history of the Jewish community of Persia. Each lecture will be self-contained and can be attended independently. Each week’s session will include an opportunity for questions and answers following Prof. Lupovitch’s presentation. Advance registration is encouraged but not required.
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ABOUT THE SERIES
Persian Jews are the oldest Jewish community in the world. Their history thus not only spans the entire history of the Diaspora, but encompasses all of the complexities of our history: adapting Judaism to life under foreign rule without the Temple, incorporating foreign influences into Judaism by living one foot in the world of Judaism and the other in the outside world; and carving out a political and theological space in an Islamic world that was, at times, highly antagonistic. The lecture dates and topics are as follows:
July 6 - Lecture 1, “The World of Esther and Mordechai” – In this lecture Prof. Lupovitch will discuss how Persian Jews figured out how to live as Jews outside the Land of Israel under foreign rule, and to balance between Judaism and foreign influences.
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July 13 - Lecture 2, “Jews in Shi’ite Society” – Discover how Persian Jews confronted the challenges of living under a regime that regarded Jews not only as religiously inferior, but also as outsiders.
July 20 - Lecture 3, “Under Sultans and Shahs” – This lecture will explore how the subordination of Shi'ite religious and political leaders to the imperial rule of the Ottomans and more tolerant dynasties allowed Persian Jews not only to survive but to thrive for long stretches of time, into the 20th century.
July 27 - Lecture 4, “Israel, Iran, and the Persian Jews” – In the final lecture in the series, Prof. Lupovitch will discuss the impact of Zionism and the founding of the State of Israel on Persian Jews, and how the situation deteriorated after the defeat of the Shah and the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
ABOUT OUR TEACHER - Prof. Howard N. Lupovitch is an outstanding scholar of Jewish history and the author of several highly-praised books, including Jews at the Crossroads: Tradition and Accomodation during the Golden Age of the Hungarian Nobility, 1729-1878 (2007) and Jews and Judaism in World History (2010). A resident of West Bloomfield, Prof. Lupovitch teaches Jewish history courses at the University of Western Ontario and is also one of Metro Detroit’s most popular and engaging adult educators. In addition to his work as a scholar, author and teacher, Prof. Lupovitch is also Beth Ahm’s Shabbat morning Torah reader and often leads Friday night services and Shabbat morning services at Beth Ahm.
HOW TO SIGN UP FOR THE SERIES -
To register for “Esther’s Children,” make checks payable to Cong. Beth Ahm and mail to: 5075 W. Maple Rd. W. Bloomfield MI 48322 (Attention: Adult Ed) or drop off in person at the shul office during regular business hours. You may also pre-register by calling the Beth Ahm office (248) 851-6880, and then pay at the door. Questions? Call Nancy Kaplan at (248) 737-1931 or e-mail nancyellen879@att.net
