Session One:
Comparing Theologies and the Legal Status of the Jewish Community Under Muslim and Christian Rule

Exploring the theological underpinnings of the legal status of Jews in Christianity and Islam. How was daily life similar/different for Jews throughout Europe under the rule of varying regimes? We will examine primary and secondary documents to elucidate these issues.  

Photo above:   Secret Seder in Spain during the times of inquisition, an 1892 painting 
by Moshe Maimon

Session Two:
Differing Responses to Challenges and Threats in the Communities of Ashkenaz and Sepharad

When faced with life-threatening situations in Central and Western Europe, Jews often chose martyrdom. In the Iberian Peninsula the dominant response in similar situations was conversion, either true conversion or superficial conversion that led to the phenomenon of widespread secret Judaism. We will use both primary and secondary documents to assess these historical realities.

Faciliator: Debbie Goodman is a member of B’nai Havurah.  Born and raised in Denver, Debbie lived out of Colorado for many years and is very happy to have returned home several years ago.  She holds a B.A. from the University of Colorado in Jewish Studies, a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from the Harvard Divinity School with concentrations in Bible and History of Religion, a Masters Degree in Jewish Education from Spertus College of Judaica in Chicago, and studied Jewish History and Comparative Religions in the graduate school of The Ohio State University.  Debbie has worked as a Jewish educator for 40 years in various venues in Boston, Chicago, Columbus and Denver. She is the proud parent of two adult sons, Saul Schwartz (pictured left) and Ari Schwartz (right). 

Please register below. The cost listed for Friends of B'nai includes both classes.