AJ Adult Education 5786

Saturday, September 6 at 12:15 PM: Lunch 'n Learn with David Denby: "Eminent Jews: Bernstein, Brooks, Friedan, Mailer"
We’ll kick off our 5786 programming with a Lunch 'n Learn with journalist/author and former New Yorker film critic David Denby for a discussion of his latest book, Eminent Jews: Bernstein, Brooks, Friedan, Mailer. What do Leonard Bernstein, Mel Brooks, Betty Friedan, and Norman Mailer have in common? According to David Denby, their creative brilliance and drive was unleashed at a time of liberty for American Jews. “As prosperity for Jews increased and antisemitism began to fade after World War II, these four creative giants stormed through the latter half of the 20th century, altering the way people around the world listened to music, defined what was vulgar, comprehended the relations of men and women, and understood the American soul.” (Amazon) Join this New York Times best-selling author as he shares insights from the life and times of these extraordinary icons of 20th century culture.

Mr. Denby will have copies of his book available for purchase and will personalize them with signed book plates. You are welcome to join us for the Shabbat service preceding the lunch. Services begin at 9:30 AM.

Cost: AJ members, $10 per person. Non-AJ members, $18 per person.

Register and/or purchase books here!

Sunday, September 28: Trip to The Jewish Museum in New York City (Time, TBD)
Combining our explorations of the American Jewish contributions to the arts as well as to politics and social justice will be a visit to The Jewish Museum in New York City for a fascinating retrospective of the work of American Jewish icon Ben Shahn, entitled “Ben Shahn, On Nonconformity.” An acclaimed painter, illustrator, and photographer, to whom Judaism was foundational, Shahn maintained a prolific and progressive commitment to chronicling and confronting crucial issues of his era, spanning the period from the Great Depression to the Vietnam War. His work also highlights his devotion to depictions of spirituality and Jewish texts. According to The New York Times, “The effect is gripping, and feels utterly relevant for the troubled moment we are living in now.”

Registration link coming soon!

Sunday, October 19 at 10:00 AM: Brunch 'n Learn with Rabbi Lance Sussman, PhD: "Jews and the Development of Religious Liberty in the American Revolution and Early Nation"
The American War of Independence was also a revolution in Jewish history. Not since the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE had any country enfranchised Jews as citizens and the new nation was thus the first. Jews were the perpetual outsiders until July 4, 1776, when the Founding Fathers of the United States envisioned a new type of society, not yet free of the chains of slavery but aspirationally more inclusive than any other form of government. First at the federal level and then slowly by the states, Jews were fully enfranchised. A wall of separation between government and religion was built, challenged, and rebuilt, a sustained—and mostly successful—battle over the next 250 years.

Lance J. Sussman, PhD, is Rabbi Emeritus of Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel anda Past Chair of the Board of Governors of Gratz College. Sussman has taught at Princeton, SUNY Binghamton, and Hunter College. A prolific historian, Sussman’s most recent book,the third in his trilogy with Lynda Barness, is Portrait of a Rabbi-Historian: How Did We Get  Here.

Cost: AJ members, $10 per person. Non-AJ members, $18 per person.

Register here!

Sunday, January 4 at 10:00 AM: Brunch 'n Learn with Robert Eisen: "Jewish Exceptionalism"
No examination of the enormous influence that Jews have had on American society would be complete without considering the question: How could such a minute fraction of the American population have had such a profound influence throughout the centuries? To guide us in an exploration of American Jewish exceptionalism, we will host Robert Eisen, Professor of Religion and Judaic Studies at George Washington University, for a discussion of his new book, Jews, Judaism, and Success: How Religion Paved the Way to Modern Jewish Achievement. An analysis of four core Jewish values of the Rabbinic period — autonomy, freedom of thought, worldliness, and education — Eisen offers convincing evidence that “while modern Jews rejected aspects of Rabbinic Judaism, they also retained some of its values, and these [four] in particular [helped create a path] to Jewish success.” (Amazon)

Brandeis Professor Jonathan Sarna has this to say about Eisen’s book: “This bold, erudite and provocative attempt to explain Jews’ disproportionate success in the Modern Period ... will challenge, inform, and instruct [its readers].” And per Harvard Professor of Jewish History, Derek Penslar: “Clearly written, carefully argued, and thoroughly researched, this book deserves a wide readership and lively discussion.”

Cost: AJ members, $10 per person. Non-AJ members, $18 per person.

Registration link to come.

Sunday, March 1 at 10:00 AM: Brunch 'n Learn with Melissa Klapper: "Women in the Civil War"
Emma Mordecai was a complicated figure: both a staunch defender of Judaism, and an ardent Confederate nationalist and slaveowner. Her life, as vividly captured in her wartime diary, is a good example of the messiness of history and the ambiguous place of Jews in the antebellum and Civil War South. Come join us for a discussion of The Civil War Diary of Emma Mordecai, a book initiated by the late Dr. Dianne Ashton, Professor Emerita of Philosophy and World Religion at Rowan University, and completed after her passing by Dr. Melissa R. Klapper, Professor of History at Rowan University. Cost: AJ members, $10 per person. Non-AJ members, $18 per person.

Registration link to come.

Late April: Panel Discussion moderated by Steve Rosenberg: "Jews in Sports"
Join us for an inspiring event celebrating the rich history of Jews in sports, with a special focus on the remarkable achievements of Jewish athletes in Philadelphia. Moderated by Steven Rosenberg, Board Chair of the Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and a board member of the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, this event will explore the powerful legacy of Jewish sports figures, from local legends to global icons. Through a captivating panel discussion, and audience interaction, we’ll highlight the challenges these athletes overcame and their enduring influence on the world of sports. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to celebrate Jewish resilience, identity, and triumph in athletics! The author of Make Bold Things Happen: Inspirational Stories from Sports, Business, and Life, Rosenberg is dedicated to empowering others through mentorship and career guidance. He has held pivotal leadership roles across the nonprofit and sports/entertainment industries. He is actively involved in various civic and nonprofit boards, including the Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, Maccabi USA, and Philadelphia Youth Basketball, among others. Cost: No charge.

Registration link to come.