Jewish ideas matter. They make us smarter. They compel us to action. They make the world a better place. Hartman scholars address the most urgent, important issues of our day through Jewish texts, history, and tradition. Register now for our public lectures, exclusive multi-session seminars, and special programs that harness Jewish wisdom for a better future.
Upcoming Series and Events
TOWARDS A NEW ZIONIST DISCOURSE Presented in Partnership with The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington Wednesday, February 9, 2022, 12:00-1:15pm EST Much like those in Israel, our American Jewish community is living in a time of complexity and amidst a diversity of opinions. Discourse around Israel has become increasingly challenging. Donniel Hartman, President of the Shalom Hartman Institute, and Gil Preuss, CEO of The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, will discuss how we can engage in meaningful, respectful, and productive conversation about Israel. |
MISHAEL ZION Wednesdays, 2/16, 2/23 & 3/2, 12:00-1:30pm EST What is Israeli Jewish identity today? Explore Israeli Jewish identity through text, music, food, and fashion. Examine the roots, unpack the ideas, and explore how they open up new possible bridges between Israeli and North American Jewish life. Three sessions. |
R LEORA BATNITZKY Thursdays, 1/27, 2/3 & 2/10, 1:30-3:00pm EST Why has modernity forced Jews to define themselves either as a religion or a nation? Study debates around emancipation in Europe and the rise of modern antisemitism, Jewish conversion, religious freedom, and discrimination. Three sessions. |
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JAMES LOEFFLER Mondays, 3/14, 3/21, 3/28 & 4/4, 7:00-8:30pm EST Antisemitism has become a partisan issue in American life. Everyone wants to stop it, yet no one can agree on a definition or remedy. Explore legal, conceptual, and historical frameworks for the major questions surrounding antisemitism. Three sessions. |
MELILA HELLNER-ESHED Tuesdays, 3/15, 3/22 & 3/29, 7:00-8:00pm EST While the Genesis creation story is familiar, later commentaries reveal cracks in the narrative. Explore various interpretations of this iconic part of the Bible and what it conveys about the deepest questions confronting humanity. Three sessions. |
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ELENA STEIN HAIN and NOAM ZION Tuesday, 2/1, 12:00-1:30pm EST What can Judaism contribute to nurturing loving relationships? Elana Stein Hain and Noam Zion discuss his new book, Sanctified Sex: The Two-Thousand-Year Jewish Debate on Marital Intimacy.
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A global commemoration of Yom HaShoah. Through a powerful new ritual created to honor those who perished, we transform memory into a personal commitment to eliminate dehumanization. |
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Learn, reflect, and commemorate Yom HaShoah with opportunities for text study, discussion, and new rituals dedicated to the memory of the Shoah. |
Celebrate Israel’s 74th birthday! Explore the evolution of the State of Israel with Hartman scholars through a diverse lens of academic thought and personal stories. |
OLD JEW, NEW JEW, ISRAELI JEW: A FRESH LOOK AT ISRAELI-JEWISH CULTURE 
ELIGION OR NATION? MODERN DEBATES ABOUT JEWISH IDENTITY
AN EXCEPTIONAL HATRED? UNDERSTANDING AMERICAN ANTISEMITISM
BEGINNINGS AND ORDER: ENCOUNTERS WITH JEWISH CREATION MYTHS 
SALON@475 BOOK TALK : SANCTIFIED SEX
YOM HASHOAH HITKANSUT MEMORY CIRCLE
YOM HASHOAH DAY OF LEARNING
YOM HA’ATZMAUT DAY OF LEARNINGRecordings of Past Sessions & Events
To access recordings and sources from past sessions click here.
Note: Please allow up to 4 days for sessions to appear. Recordings are also available on the individual session pages under the Schedule tab.