Sexuality, Secularization, and the Rise of Modern Jewish Literature

Naomi Seidman lecture and reception

Starts: 5:00 pm on Thursday, March 31, 2011
Ends: 6:30 pm on Thursday, March 31, 2011
Location: Boston University Hillel 213 Bay State Rd., 4th Floor Boston, MA 02215

Sexuality, Secularization, and the Rise of Modern Jewish Literature A lecture by Dr. Naomi Seidman Koret Professor of Jewish Culture and Director of the Center for Jewish Studies at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California This lecture is sponsored by “The Other Within,” an initiative funded by the Center for Cultural Judaism with generous support from the Jewish Cultural Endowment.

Musical Others Within-A lecture by ethno-musicologist Edwin Seroussi

Edwin Seroussi: "The Musical Other Within"

Starts: 5:00 pm on Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Ends: 7:00 pm on Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Location: BU Hillel House (Reform Chapel)
URL: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=111748668897013

Ethnomusicologist and Hebrew University Professor Edwin Seroussi will lecture on "Musical Others Within: Sephardic Liturgy and the Soundscape of the Reform Movement of Judaism." The lecture will be followed by a reception.

Sephardic Jewish Arabic Moroccan Gitano Flamenco song & dance Al-Andalus

In anticipation of Edwin Seroussi's lecture on "Musical Others Within" it is fun to scour the internet for Sephardic music recordings. This one was submitted by my friend Tom Kalmar. (Thanks, Tomas!)

"Reboot" -- Jews searching for meaning in being Jewish

In today's NYTimes "Styles" section, an article on "reboot", an initiative for young individuals who are searching to find a new meaning in what it means to be Jewish. See HERE.

The National Yiddish Book Center in recent news ...

Financial trouble at the National Yiddish Book Center and grumblings with the direction its leadership has taken beyond its original mission of rescuing Yiddish literature from extinction are the headline issues of a recent article on the center in the Boston Globe.

"The Other Within" at the National Yiddish Book Center

On Nov 7, 2010, a group of nineteen BU students, faculty, and staff visited the National Yiddish Book Center, located on the campus of Hampshire College in the beautiful region of Western Massachusetts. On the way, David Braun, docent and lecturer in Yiddish language and literature, offered an introduction to Yiddish history and culture. The Center, a unique cultural institution, had one of the busiest days in the year. Members and supporters had been invited to view an impressive array of new curated exhibits, listen to klezmer music, and hear news about the center from its founder and director, Aron Lansky. Our group had a private tour by one of the Center's fellows, Jessica Antoline, who also happens to be a graduate of BU (Class of 2007) where she majored in Religion and Archaeology. Aron Lansky met with the group as well. This was a remarkable opportunity to encounter not only the wealth of the Yiddish tradition but also an inspiring group of people devoted to the preservation of this heritage.

The stacks in the background were part of an exhibit featuring the variety of themes on which Yiddish books were published in the 19th and 20th century. Particular impressive: book design from the 1920s.

Arielle, Daniela from D.F., and Shlom from Paris, students in CASRN339 The Modern Jew, view a list Yiddish terms that have migrated into American parlance.

Ilana likes National Yiddish Book Center.

Jessica Antoline speaking to "The Other Within"

From the current exhibit of Jewish-themed picture books, a story about a pig who wanted to be kosher.

program website launched

"The Other Within" has its own program website now. Visit us at www.bu.edu/otherwithin!