Israel And The Identity Of Modern Jews: Exile And Home In Jewish History And Thought with Dr. Jacob Meskin
	Tuesday mornings, 10:30-12:30 10 Sessions: Jan. 26 Feb 2, 9, 23 March 2, 9, 16, 23 Please note: no class on 2/16, 3/30, or 4/6 Please pre-register with Rosalie at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it $350/KS member if we have 10 members  $400/person for non-KS members
With an eye fixed on the contemporary moment, this course will explore classic Jewish texts and historical developments crucial to understanding the roles of exile, of home, and of Israel in the development of Jewish identity.   In order to gain a richer appreciation of the modern situation today, we will first study notions of land and of sacred space in the Hebrew Bible.  We will then move on to investigate various conceptions of time, exile, and ongoing Jewish religious life in the Talmud; this will be followed by an examination of medieval literary, philosophical, and kabbalistic reflections on Israel and its importance.  Our readings in the modern period on exile, home, and Israel will be drawn from literature, philosophy, political science, poetry, mysticism, history, and sociology--and possibly film, drama, and music.  We will conclude by studying different reflections on contemporary Jewish life in America, and how they understand the complex interrelations and tensions between exile, home, and Israel in the new reality to which the establishment of the modern state of Israel has given rise.
Dr. Jacob Meskin is currently the Ruderman Visiting Assistant Professor of Jewish Studies at Northeastern University, as well as Academic Director for the Me'ah Program and Assistant Professor of Jewish Thought and Education at Hebrew College.