Free Weekly Lectures in Jewish History Return to Touro College’s Flatbush Campus
Dr. Henry Abramson, Dean of Touro’s Lander College of Arts & Sciences, to Deliver Series
Amy Plotch
Amy@sutnickplotch.com
201-741-5946
New York, N.Y. — What do a poet-warrior king, a savvy military leader, and a Rabbinic scholar have in common? They are just three icons of Jewish history that will be examined in an upcoming weekly lecture series: “Israel: The Land and its People” presented by Dr. Henry Abramson, Dean of Touro’s Lander College of Arts & Sciences in Flatbush.
This annual public lecture series, Jewish History @ J, will resume February 6 and be held on Monday nights through May 22. The lecture series will take place from 7-8 p.m. at Touro College’s Flatbush campus at 1602 Avenue J and is free and open to the community.
Dean Abramson is a sought-after lecturer lauded for his sense of humor and ability to bring history to life in a straightforward and interesting manner. Each week, audience members will learn about Jewish history from a noted expert without traveling far from their homes. “I look forward to taking attendees on a journey from the Bronze Age to the 1990s, as together we explore Jewish heritage and the unique history of the Jewish people,” said Dean Abramson.
The first lecture on February 6 will feature Abraham. Named in the Torah as “the father of many peoples,” Abraham is revered by Jews, Christians, and Muslims as the original proponent of monotheism. This lecture will survey what the archeological and historical record reveals about the demographic, economic, and cultural environment in Israel when the Patriarchs and Matriarchs walked the land.
The series will continue with other prominent figures, including the following:
- Joshua (February 13), whose military might conquered the Land of Israel;
- King David (February 27), the poet-warrior King who led the Jewish people to political and cultural prominence;
- Yohanan Cohen Gadol (March 6), a prominent Jewish leader during the brief period of Jewish freedom in the 2nd century BCE;
- King Herod (March 13), one of the greatest builders of ancient Israel;
- Rabbi Akiva (March 20), one of the greatest Rabbis of the entire Talmud;
- Mar Zutra (March 27), the progenitor of a long line of Jewish leaders in Israel;
- Nahmanides (May 1), a brilliant 13th-century scholar of Rabbinic thought;
- Rabbi Moshe Cordovero (May 8), a major figure in the 16th century renaissance of Tsfat;
- Theodor Herzl (May 15), the visionary behind modern Zionism and the reinstitution of a Jewish homeland; and
- Yitzhak Rabin (May 22), the fifth Prime Minister of Israel.
About the Touro College and University System
Touro is a system of non-profit institutions of higher and professional education. Touro College was chartered in 1970 primarily to enrich the Jewish heritage, and to serve the larger American and global community. Approximately 18,000 students are currently enrolled in its various schools and divisions. Touro College has 30 campuses and locations in New York, California, Nevada, Berlin, Jerusalem and Moscow. New York Medical College; Touro University California and its Nevada branch campus; Touro University Worldwide and its Touro College Los Angeles division; as well as Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Ill. are separately accredited institutions within the Touro College and University System. For further information on Touro College, please go to: http://www.touro.edu/news/
