Philip S. Bernstein Lecture
The Center for Jewish Studies holds an annual endowed lecture named after Rabbi Philip S. Bernstein. Bernstein served as the spiritual leader to local congregation Temple B'rith Kodesh in Rochester for nearly fifty years and played a key role in advising U.S. Army Commanders in Europe, helping to resettle European Jews after World War II. In addition, he was known for his outspokenness on civil rights, particularly in advocating for integrated neighborhoods and the construction of affordable, integrated residences for low-income families.
For more information, please contact Professor Aaron Hughes at aaron.hughes@rochester.edu.
Past Lectures
What is the Jews? A Defense of Diaspora Nationalism as a Third Option for a Jewish Future
Daniel Boyarin PhD, Departments of Near Eastern Studies and Rhetoric, University of California at Berkeley
Thursday, April 4, 2019
5 p.m.
Welles-Brown Room, Rush Rhees Library
The Prophetic Tradition and the Civil Rights Movement: How Can We Respond to Antisemitism and the Rise of White Nationalism?
Susannah Heschel PhD, Eli Black Professor of Jewish Studies, Dartmouth College
Thursday, October 26, 2017
5 p.m.
Hawkins-Carlson Room, Rush Rhees Library
Rabbi Philip S. Bernstein: Explaining Judaism to America
Rachel Gordan PhD, Boston University
Monday, April 3, 2017
7 p.m.
Temple B'rith Kodesh
Transitions: Personal and Political
Yael Dayan, Member of 13th, 14th and 15th Knessets
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
6 p.m.
Hawkins-Carlson Room, Rush Rhees Library
Holding the Past Jewish Memory and the Promise of Justice
Laura S. Levitt PhD, Professor of Religion, Jewish Studies and Gender, Temple University
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
4 p.m.
Eisenberg Rotunda, Schlegel Hall
Not Yet Now: Speaking of the End and the End of Speaking
Elliot R. Wolfson PhD, Department of Religious Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara
Monday, November 10, 2014
4:30 p.m.
Welles-Brown Room, Rush Rhees Library