I have long been interested in ways in which modern technology can enhance what I do, as a scholar and a teacher. In the classroom I have used podcasts and wikis, and I continue to work on a digital collection of inscriptions from Israel/Palestine … [Continue reading] about Fooling Around with Digital Humanities
A Usable Past
I just finished Albert Baumgarten's engaging biography of Elias Bickerman, Elias Bickerman as Historian of the Jews: A Twentieth Century Tale, which was also recently reviewed by Anthony Grafton in The Jewish Review of Books. In Baumgarten's … [Continue reading] about A Usable Past
Death, and the Modern American Synagogue
I had the pleasure this last week of listening to a lecture by Professor Carlos Eire, of Yale University. (Full dislosure: I was a colleague of Carlos's at University of Virginia, and in addition to finding him a supportive senior colleague, have … [Continue reading] about Death, and the Modern American Synagogue
Larry Axel Memorial Lecture
I just presented the Larry Axel Memorial Lecture at Purdue University. The talk was entitled, "Big Givers: The Origins of Jewish Philanthropy." The publicity paragraph reads: Whether by naming buildings, erecting plaques, or publishing name-lists, … [Continue reading] about Larry Axel Memorial Lecture
"Day of Judgment"
Tonight Rosh HaShanah begins. It is probably safe to say that many Jews associate the holiday with two theological themes. The first, emphasized especially in children's books and early Jewish educational settings, is the birthday of the world - … [Continue reading] about "Day of Judgment"