Public lecture March 15: The Jewish Book in History

The Concordia University Department of Religions and Cultures invites you to join Scholar-in-Residence Professor David Stern (Harvard University) for a free public lecture on "Through the Pages of the Past: The Jewish Book in History."

Abstract:
The Jews are known as "the people of the book," and Jewish culture is invariably associated with bookishness and textuality. In this lecture, Prof. Stern will show how the book, as we know it, is not native to Jewish culture but, in the course of history, it becomes an indelible mark of Jewish identity. Far from distinguishing Jewish uniqueness, however, the material shape of the book always mirrors the external host cultures in which Jews have lived and produced their books. The lecture will focus on the history of that most "Jewish" of all Jewish books, the Talmud, and on its unusual typographic layout.

When: Thursday March 15 at 19:15
Where: Beth Israel Beth Aaron Congregation (6800 Mackle, Cote St. Luc)

David Stern is Harry Starr Professor of Classical and Modern Jewish and Hebrew Literature and Professor of Comparative Literature at Harvard University. He is a world-renowned expert in the history of the book, ancient Jewish interpretation, and Jewish literature.

Co-sponsored by:
The Concordia Institute for Canadian Jewish Studies
Azrieli Institute of Israel Studies
Concordia Religion Students Association

For more information, please contact: naftalicohn@gmail.com