Dr. David Kraemer, a distinguished author and professor at JTS who grew up at Oheb Shalom (and became a Bar Mitzvah here) will join us via Zoom to discuss his talk, "The Challenge of Accepting the 'Other': Jewish Attitudes Towards Converts."  

Note: unlike past events, we will be able to converse directly with the scholar giving the talk in question.

You may watch the original talk here and download the handout here.

On the 14th, you may participate in the discussion with Dr. Kraemer in person or via Zoom.

In person
Those who want to participate in person will meet at the home of Allan Mendels, where guests (up to the first 12 who respond) may enjoy coffee, tea, and cake starting at at 7 pm. At 7:30 the Zoom discussion with Dr. Kraemer will begin.  The address will be sent the morning of the event.

From your home
Those unable to attend in person can join via Zoom at 7:30 pm.  The Zoom link to participate will be sent upon registration.

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Description of the talk:

One of the best ways to understand the identity of a community or people is to consider what happens when someone who is originally an “other”—a “foreigner”—approaches to become a member of the community. How does the community respond? Does the community permit the “foreigner” to become one of its own? What residual attitudes are expressed toward one who began as “other” and part of the community? In the case of Jews and Judaism, all of these questions pertain to the case of the convert. In this session, we will examine how the convert has been viewed and treated in Judaism, from antiquity and through the ages. By doing so, we will gain a more nuanced understanding of who “we” are.