The roots of American Jewry go back to the very beginnings of America the nation, but the Judaism that was brought with the earliest Jews from Europe quickly evolved into a new and unique American version that was sensitive to the changing needs and lifestyle of American Jewish life. In this class, we will explore how the new American Judaism was heavily impacted by the new realities in which America's Jews lived and worked. We will explore how the different movements within American Judaism came into being and how, over time, Judaism itself came to be re-defined by a cohort of religious and secular Jewish organizations, including dramatic changes in the very role to be played by the American synagogue. And finally, we will give careful thought and discussion to how our Jewish people is continuing to transform itself, and whether this new understanding of what it means to be Jewish in 21st Century America will keep us together or tear us apart.

6 Weeks (October 5, 12, 19, 26; November 2, 9)
Cost - $18