The Book of Esther: Diaspora Novella, Political Zionist Tract or Theological Statement, with Steve Kerbel
Past SessionsWednesday, February 24, 2021 • 12 Adar 5781 - 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM - Zoom
Wednesday, February 17, 2021 • 5 Adar 5781 - 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM - Zoom
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 • 28 Shevat 5781 - 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM - Zoom
Wednesday, February 3, 2021 • 21 Shevat 5781 - 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM - Zoom
Wednesday, January 27, 2021 • 14 Shevat 5781 - 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM - Zoom
Wednesday, January 20, 2021 • 7 Shevat 5781 - 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM - Zoom
Wednesday, January 13, 2021 • 29 Tevet 5781 - 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM - Zoom
Wednesday, January 6, 2021 • 22 Tevet 5781 - 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM - Zoom
The Book of Esther, at best, gets looked at by observing Jews for a few days before Purim, on the holiday itself, and then rarely if at all. The story itself is rich and complex and is related to other Biblical books in ways not usually discussed while celebrating Purim. During this deeper dive, we will look into some of the literary aspects of Esther, some of the politics simmering between the lines, and deal with the Jewish diety’s absence from the book.
Please have a Tanakh (Hebrew Bible, English translation is fine) for this course.
STEVE KERBEL is an independent education consultant in the Greater Washington DC area, and has been involved in Jewish education for the last 30 years. Steve is a consultant and project director for the Center for Israel Education at Emory University in Atlanta. Steve serves as National President of the Jewish Educators Assembly. Steve earned a law degree and was in the private practice of law for eight years. Among Steve’s avocations, he facilitates wine tastings featuring Israeli wines and teaches about the geography of Israel through its wines and wine makers.
Class begins Wednesday, January 6 (continuing seven more Wednesday mornings, concluding February 24)
9:30–11:00 AM
$90 Haberman Institute Friends and B’nai Israel Members
$105 General Public
Click here to register with Haberman Institute
Students will receive the Zoom link prior to the first session. Presented by the Haberman Institute for Jewish Studies.
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