Major developments in Judaism to be conference topic

"New Judaisms: New Movements, New Media, New Directions," a conference on the ways in which Judaism is developing right now, is scheduled Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 9 and 10, at Skidmore.

The event will bring together a collection of top scholars in the field of Jewish Studies to explore some major developments in Judaism in the 20th and 21st centuries, thinking of them historically and in terms of New Age religions.

Marla Segol, assistant professor of religion at Skidmore and an organizer of the conference, explained why the topic is worth studying at this time. Mid-twentieth century theorists of religion thought that institutional religion is declining and that this decline means that religion is dead. But that is not true. What we are seeing is growth in grassroots Judaism, Judaism not affiliated with institutions. To understand what is happening with religion right now we need to understand what?s happening at the grassroots level, with non-institutionally affiliated practitioners. The fact that institutions are weakening does not mean that religion is dead.?

She continued, "This will eventually make us redefine religion, and make us aware that it is no longer exclusively institutionally focused." 

The Skidmore conference will examine contemporary Judaism through the lens of New Age religiosity, to see if there are any changes in the roles of Jewish institutions. Participants will discuss Judaism and new media and consider how new media might be changing Jewish messages. Scholars also will look at Jewish syncretism, in terms of the way it draws upon other traditions, and also about how other traditions may be drawing upon Judaism. Participants will think about whether Judaism is behaving similarly to, or differently from, other New Age religions.

The following panel discussions are open without charge to the public. All will take place in Davis Auditorium, Palamountain Hall, on the Skidmore campus.

Monday, Feb. 9
Session One, 4:30 p.m
-Introductions
-"Is There Such a Thing as Jewish Meditation" Pinchas Giller, professor in medieval Jewish thought, American Jewish University

Session Two, 7:30 p.m.
-"The Association of Hebrew Theosophists"-Jews and the Theosophical Society in the Late 19th and Early 20th Century, Boaz Huss, associate professor, Goldstein-Goren Department of Jewish Thought, Ben-Gurion University
-"Little Boys and Long Locks: Feminism, the First Haircut and the Reinterpretation of Gender Among Progressive Jews," Shana Sippy, Doctoral Candidate, Columbia University

Tuesday, Feb. 10
Session Three, 4:30 p.m.
-"Virtually Jewish: Jewish Community on Second Life," Chava Weissler, Philip and Muriel Berman Professor of Jewish Civilization in the Department of Religion Studies at Lehigh University
-"Secular Jews, Jewish Food: Eating Jewish Identity in America," Ted Merwin, assistant professor of religion and Judaic studies, Dickinson College

Session Four, 7:30 p.m.
-"Crossing Boundaries: Kabbalah for Non-Jews," Jody Myers, professor of religious studies at California State University, Northridge
-"Begging, Borrowing, or Stealing, New Age Religion and Kabbalah," Marla Segol, assistant professor, Department of Philosophy and Religion, Skidmore College

The program is a collaboration between Skidmore's Department of Philosophy and Religion and the Jacob Perlow Series, sponsored by the College's Office of the Dean of Special Programs. For information or details, please call 518-580-5590.