ALEPH: The Institute of Jewish Ideas, a community-wide Jewish learning initiative supported by a Jewish Community Foundation family fund and co-sponsored by the Mandell JCC and University of Connecticut Judaic Studies, has announced its schedule of educational programs for 2021. Open to the entire community, the Institute’s annual theme for 2021 is The Jewish Roots of Social Justice. This year’s program will explore the pursuit of social justice as a core Jewish value through lectures, discussion, and cultural events that examine the history of Jewish engagement with social justice from the writings of the prophets to 21st century community activism, along with discussions of socially just ways to talks about Judaism, race, Israel, and more. 

All programs will be held Thursdays at 7:30 on Zoom. For more information, visit judaicstudies.uconn.edu or mandelljcc.org. 

January 7
The Jewish Roots of Social Justice in the Writings of the Prophets  
Prof. Deena Grant (Hartford Seminary)  
An overview of the origins of the concept of social justice in the Hebrew Bible, especially in the works of Hosea, Amos, Isaiah, Micah, and more.

January 21  
A Pedagogy of Social Justice: Teaching Jewish Diversity, Dismantling the “White, Male Jew”
Prof. Aaron Hahn Tapper (University of San Francisco) 
This session offers one way to both teach and deconstruct the dominant stereotypes that Jews reinforce when teaching about Jews and Judaisms. 

February 18 
Jewish Ethics, Social Justice, Community Organizing and the 21st Century Rabbinate  
Rabbi Stephanie Ruskay (Jewish Theological Seminary) 
Rabbi Ruskay is focused on raising the scope and profile of social justice work and community organizing skills in the role of the contemporary rabbi.

March 4 
Performing Judaism and Social Justice  
A Zoom-theatrical performance with Kendell Pinkney, Avi Amon, and Rebecca S’manga Frank
Kendell Pinkney is a Brooklyn based theater-maker, Jewish-life consultant, and rabbinical student at JTS. Avi Amon is a Turkish-American composer, sound artist, and educator. Rebecca S’manga Frank is an actor, writer, director.  

March 18
Blacks, Jews, and Black Jews  
Susannah Heschel, The Eli Black Professor of Jewish Studies at Dartmouth College
This lecture will explore three intertwined dimensions of relations between African Americans and Jewish Americans: Jewish involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, Jewish memory of the Civil Rights Movement in recent decades in light of the rise of white nationalism, and scholarship on racism and what they might contribute to our understanding of antisemitism. 

May 6 
On Zionism, Israel, and Social Justice  
Prof. Gil Troy, McGill University
Zionism, more than most movements of national liberation, has long had its eyes on making Israel a model for the world, not just a refuge from the world: David Ben-Gurion called this fulfilling the covenant, not just building an ark. This lecture will analyze this central theme in Zionism ideology, assessing what Israel has achieved – and where it has fallen short – in creating a nation that fulfills the Torah’s commandment to seek justice, not just for yourself but for the stranger too.