Introducing the...

Sheffield Jewish Studies Workshop

A new opportunity to hear from the experts
and join in the discussion

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Monday 12th April 2010
7.30pm - 10.00pm

The Circle, 33 Rockingham Lane,
Sheffield S1 4FW (off Division Street)


£6.00 at the door (concessions £4.00)
for two workshops and refreshments

Everyone welcome!

 

Session 1: 7.30-8.30pm  

Choose from one of these two workshops:

1.  The Ordinariness of Being Jewish
Bill Williams

This workshop will examine the distorting imagery of anti-semitism, alive and well in 19th century Manchester, and Jewish 'defensive' self-imagery such as the listing of 'Jewish achievers'.  It will address questions relating to Manchester's Jewish history, such as to what extent the origins of Jewish schools and charities can be traced to the Jewish heritage/ experience and to what extent to models in non-Jewish society.  The question is 'to what extent to Jewish events have Jewish causes?'

2.  Holocaust Literature and Postmemory
Jenni Adams

This workshop will explore the techniques used in the literary representation of second and third generation Holocaust memory. We will look at short extracts from texts including Art Spiegelman's Maus, George Perec's W or the Memory of Childhood and David Grossman's See Under: Love.
 

Break: 8.30-9.00pm

Break for tea, coffee, and time to meet and chat
 

Session 2: 9.00-10.00pm  

Choose from one of these two workshops:

3.  Mind the Gap to Bridge the Gap: steps towards better Christian/ Jewish conversation
Cath Platt

By identifying and exploring the particular challenges involved in Christian/Jewish dialogue, this workshop aims to help participants avoid some of the misunderstandings and pitfalls that can arise when Jews and Christians try to talk to one another.

4.  Mr and Mrs God in the Bible and in Archaeology
Diana Edelman

The Hebrew Bible contains 47 references to asherah, and although later scribes tried to disguise her role and nature in religion during the monarchies of Israel and Judah, she was part of the official temple cult. References found in excavations help us better understand she was worshipped as God’s wife. When Judaism and its insistence on the existence of single deity later emerged, her role as the guarantor of human fertility was absorbed and reassigned to her former husband.

About our workshop leaders:

Bill Williams has written extensively on Manchester's Jewish history since 1976. The Manchester Jewish Museum, which he founded in 1984, is based on his work.

Jenni Adams is an Associate University Teacher in English Literature at the University of Sheffield. Her research addresses the relationship between ethics and aesthetics in the literary representation of the Holocaust.

Cath Platt is Jewish but from a Christian background, and has extensive experience of interfaith dialogue in a wide range of forums, including the Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Network of Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield Faiths Forum and the Council of Christians and Jews.

Dr Diana Edelman is Reader in the History, Archaeology and Literature of the ancient Southern Levant in the Department of Biblical Studies at the University of Sheffield. She has participated in archaeological excavations in Israel for 15 years, is researching early forms of Judaism in the Persian period and the development of Torah, and next year will write a volume on the book of Genesis.

Getting to the Circle:

The Circle is right in the city centre and is easily accessible:

The Sheffield Jewish Studies Workshop has been organised by Sheffield & District Reform Jewish Congregation. 

For more information: 0771 920 9259 - or e-mail: info@shef-ref.co.uk