SCJS Event Series
Gale Family Foundation Lecture Series
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Gale Collaborative on Jewish Life in the Americas Lecture Series
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Kasman Family Lectures in Eastern European Jewish Life and Culture Series
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Jews in the World of Islam Lecture Series
Organized by Dr. Karen Grumberg (CMES), Dr. Hina Azam (Islamic Studies), Dr. Jonathan Kaplan (Schusterman Center for Jewish Studies), and Isabelle Headrick (History)
Since ancient times, Jews have lived in what we call the Islamic world. Some Middle Eastern Jewish communities, such as those centered in Iran and Iraq, pre-date Islam by centuries, and thrived well after the Muslim conquest of the eighth century, with Jews and Muslims living relatively peacefully side-by-side. The medieval period saw an especially fruitful collaboration between Arabs and Jews on the Iberian Peninsula, during what has come to be known as the Golden Age of Spain; the Hebrew poetry of the era is to this day considered among the finest ever composed. In the early modern period, Jews established flourishing new communities in the Ottoman Empire (including in what they knew as Eretz Yisrael) and North Africa, in the wake of the expulsion of the Jews from Spain. Modernity brought nationalist sentiments to the Middle East, which eventually contributed to the disintegration of the symbiotic dynamic that characterized the relationship among the Jews and non-Jews of the Middle East. Until the early twentieth century, though, Jews continued to participate in the culture, society, and politics of the lands they considered home for generations. This series examines various dimensions of the Jewish presence in the Islamic world.
Israel in Context Lecture Series
This series brings a renowned scholar to campus each year to address new developments in academic research on Israeli history, culture, politics, or society. “Israel in Context” lectures might consider transnational, multilingual, or theoretical issues informing and enriching the study of Israel.
Tarbut Hebrew Arts and Culture Lecture Series
This series brings a well-known Israeli author, filmmaker, or other cultural figure to UT annually to present a public lecture, reading, or screening, and to engage more intimately with the UT community through events such as writing workshops or round-table discussions. The Tarbut series aims to showcase the diversity of Israeli culture.
Graduate Student Lunch Colloquium Series
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The Ancient Near East Lecture Series
Organized by Dr. Na'ama Pat-el , Dr. Jonathan Kaplan, and Dr. Bruce Wells
Each year, we bring 2 or more speakers to deliver a seminar with graduate students and a public talk. The idea is to expose our graduate students to cutting edge research in Ancient Near East and Hebrew Bible and to form professional bonds with leading scholars, as well as provide more opportunities for the general public to learn about the Ancient Near East.
The Workshop on Late Antiquity
Organized by Dr. Jonathan Kaplan and the Department of Religious Studies
The Workshop on Late Antiquity is a series of lectures from leading faculty in the study of late antiquity, whose work touches upon the broader Middle East and the ancient Mediterranean as well as the religions and civilizations that developed in the region. These lectures draw a diverse range of people from the UT and broader Austin community, including undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty and staff. Primarily this lecture series works to gather scholars and students interested in the study of late antiquity from across the university, who are scattered in a diverse number of program units.
