Sekhel veLev


	SEKHEL veLEV 2008 "Mind and Heart"
	4Registration form In fairness to all participants in this program, attendees must show proof of registration on the first day of class. Fees are not tax deductible and are not negotiable. All courses will be held at the Tucson Jewish Community Center (Dodge & River Rd.) Lunch is available for purchase at the JCC’s Café @ the J
	Session One - January 22, 29 & February 5, 2008
	10:00am - 11:30am J. Edward Wright - "Scrolls Scholars & Secrets: The Dead Sea Scrolls in Perspective"
	In this course, Prof. Wright will trace the history of the discovery, interpretation and publication of the Dead Sea Scrolls. He will also explore the intrigues associated with the scrolls, their discoverers, their interpreters, and the importance the scrolls play in our understanding of ancient Judaism.

	12:00noon - 1:30pm Steven Werlin - "Jewish Revolts from Judah Maccabee to Bar Kokhba"
	The Jews of the ancient world fought several major revolts in which they attempted to secure political and cultural independence. University of North Carolina doctoral candidate Steven H. Werlin will discuss three major Jewish revolts against the dominant Roman Empire. Though not all successful, these wars redefined the character of Jewish life then and shaped the core beliefs of Judaism as we know it today. By exploring the incredible and often horrific archaeological remains, we will consider the complex reasons these battles were fought, as well as the lasting impact they have had on western culture. The first major revolt (between 66 and 73 CE) is known as the “Great Jewish Revolt” or the “First Jewish Revolt." Somewhat lesser known, the “Diaspora Revolt” took place in 115-117 during the reign of Emperor Trajan. The third and best known, the “Bar-Kokhba Revolt," occurred in Palestine in 133-135. The chance of victory in each of these uprisings was real and the stakes high on both sides. While none of these revolts was ultimately successful, they marked crucial turning points for our Jewish ancestors in terms of politics, religion and national identity. Werlin will review the history, literature and archaeology surrounding these three revolts in order to throw light on why they were fought, how they were lost and their legacy in Jewish history.

	Session Two - February 12, 19 & 26, 2008
	10:00am - 11:30am Beth Alpert Nakhai - "Archaeological & Religious Diversity in the 1st Temple Times (1000 - 587 BCE)"
	The Bible tells the story of the Israelites’ commitment to one God, worshipped in the Jerusalem temple. Archaeology, however, tells a different story, a story of differing forms of worship by the Israelite elite and Israelite commoners, thereby giving us a more complete picture of religious beliefs and practices for the men and women of ancient Israel.

	12:00noon - 1:30pm Shlomo Aronson - "Israel's Wars: 1948-1973"
	Hebrew University Professor Shlomo Aronson, a veteran of four of Israel’s wars, will cover the crises, strategies and results (anticipated and unanticipated) of four major campaigns beginning with the 1948 War of Independence and continuing through the 1956 Suez-Sinai Campaign, the 1967 Six Day War and the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Finally, he will assess the Peace with Egypt and the Lebanon Round.

	Session Three - March 4, 11 & 18, 2008
	10:00am - 11:30am Howard Rothman* & Daniel Asia - "Jewish Music: Sacred and Profane"
	From being banned completely to grudging acceptance, music has played an important part in the religious and secular lives of Jews. Dr. Rothman, Professor Emeritus, University of Florida, will present two lectures on Jewish music through the ages, and UA Music Professor, Daniel Asia will discuss contemporary Jewish composers of the last thirty years.
	Howard Rothman March 4, 2008 "Tunes Through the Times: Does Anyone Know How to Describe Jewish Music?" Music is mentioned in the early chapters of Genesis and Flourished in Temple times. After the destruction of the Temple, the Rabbis forbade the use of music and the Jews were dispersed throughout the world. Where ever they lived, Jews adapted to the culture and customs of the societies in which they lived. While this suggests that there is not homogeneous Jewish music is there something that is unique and special in all music called Jewish Music? We'll explore some of these issues and listen to different kinds of Jewish music. March 11, 2008* "The Diaspora and How it Has Affected Jewish Music" From a total ban on music to grudging acceptance, music has played an important part in the secular and religious life of Jews. Music provided a means of escape from the harsh realities of daily life in the Shtetls of Central and Eastern Europe. Jews needed each other in order to survive and the Shtetl provided the structures to support a Jewish existence. The shtetl, at least in America, no longer exists and many Jews are losing their intellectual and emotional attachments to Judaism. What happens when Jews become so far removed from their historic culture and when they've adopted another culture? Can a Jews still respond to Jewish music? Is the cantor irrelevant?

	12:00noon - 1:30pm David Graizbord - "Examining Sephardi Identity"
	This course will examine Sephardi identity from the Middle Ages to modern times, from the Iberian Peninsula to the Ottoman Empire. Along this tortuous path we will identify aspects of religious Sephardi identity as well as ethnic, political and economic issues, asking as we go the crucial question: "What did it mean to be Sephardi?"