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Meeting the Moment:

What the Jewish Past Teaches About the Future

Each session is preceded by bagels and coffee at 9:30 a.m.  |  Sessions start at 10 a.m.

Explore the depths of American Jewish history and connect with the stories that shape our times. In a period that has tested our community's resilience, it's important to come together to understand the influences that impact our lives.

Our community stands at a crucial point, considering our identity, beliefs, and sense of security. "Meeting the Moment" is a thoughtful space for engaging conversations, expert perspectives, and finding a way forward. This is an opportunity to address our challenges with insight and collective effort, building bridges of understanding and unity.

Join us for a meaningful exploration of these topics. By participating, you contribute to a dialogue that can lead to positive change. Reserve your place and be part of crafting a hopeful future for our community.
Sponsored by Congregation Mishkan Israel, Temple Beth Sholom, Jewish Historical Society of Greater New Haven and the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven.

This series is generously supported in part by a Community Impact Grant from the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven.

SEMINAR #1
Sunday, March 9, 2025, 9:30 - 11:45 AM,
Congregation Mishkan Israel, Hamden
U.S. Jewish Responses in Times of Trauma
This talk examines how American Jews have reacted to communal crises through exploration of Jews' historical engagement in political advocacy, institution building, and social activism. Examining how Jews in the United States have responded to threats to communal security at home and abroad, this talk illuminates similarities and differences between Jewish generations past and present. 

Bio: Britt P. Tevis, J.D., Ph.D., is the Phyllis Backer Assistant Professor in Jewish Studies in the Department of History at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. Her work focuses on the intersection of Jews and American law with a special emphasis on the study of antisemitism.

 
SEMINAR #2
Sunday, March 30, 2025, 9:30 - 11:45 AM,
Temple Beth Sholom, Hamden
Israel – The Generational Divide: Reflections on Jewish Generational Conflict
Israel has become a flashpoint not only between groups of American Jews but between parents and children. In this lecture, Dr. Dan Judson will reflect on two recent courses he has taught for parents who are struggling with their childrens’ perspectives on Israel. Dr. Judson will place this generational context in historical context, looking at other moments of generational divide within the Jewish community.
Bio: Rabbi Dan Judson, Ph.D. serves as the Provost of Hebrew College in Newton, MA where is also a lecturer in Jewish history. Rabbi Judson received his doctorate in Jewish history at Brandeis University and his book, Pennies for Heaven: The History of American Synagogues and Money (University of Chicago Press, 2018) was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award. He is presently working on a book about American Zionist history, When America Became Zionist: The Lodge-Fish Resolution of 1922 and the Surprising Group of Politicians who Changed American Policy Towards Israel. His research and writing on new models of synagogue finance have appeared in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Haaretz, Reform Judaism magazine and many other Jewish publications. He is also a storyteller who has appeared on the MOTH national radio hour.

SEMINAR #3
Sunday, May 4, 2025, 9:30 - 11:45 AM,
Congregation B'nai Jacob, Woodbridge
How Tech Will Change Judaism, How Judaism Might Change Tech
Where does the story of Judaism and technology begin—and where is it going? In this session we'll look at historical examples of Jewish engagement with innovation and consider what the rapid pace of the present era requires.
Bio: David Zvi Kalman, Ph.D., is a scholar and writer working at the intersection of technology, religion, and art. He is a research fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute, a senior advisor at Sinai and Synapses, and the owner of Print-O-Craft Press. He is the host of Belief in the Future and he blogs at Jello Menorah.
 
Individual Sessions              $18.00  

Full Series

Admission to all 3 sessions in the series
$36.00
 

Questions? Contact Michael Dimenstein at [email protected]