For many, the phrase "Religious Fundamentalism" conjures images of violent anti-American, anti-Zionist, antisemitic groups—of a new world disorder that tests the foundation of our once-secure lives. While the danger is all too real, for three prominent scholars, this view of fundamentalism is at best too narrow, at worst, xenophobic.

In the Hebrew College lecture series Going to Extremes: The New World Disorder, these experts will confront the subject of religious fundamentalism from a range of faiths and viewpoints. Cosponsored by the Center for Adult Jewish Learning, the Anti-Defamation League and the Adelman family, all three Wednesday lectures—March 3, 10 and 17—will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Berenson Hall.

In his March 3 lecture, Israel's Other War, Professor Noah Efron, an Israeli historian, will take a candid look at the divisions between Israel's ultra-Orthodox and secular Jews. Iranian-born Islamic scholar Professor Seyyed Hossein Nasr will focus his March 10 lecture, The Heart of Islam, on the need for both East and West to re-examine their respective souls in the wake of September 11. Concluding the series on March 17 with Uncovering the Dark Side of Religion, Professor Martin Marty, an international authority on religion and fundamentalism, will examine the forces behind the recent emergence of religious fundamentalists and their war against modernity.

Admission to each lecture is $10 with advance paid registration or $15 at the door. Early registration for all three events is $25. To register, or for more information, please contact the Center for Adult Jewish Learning, 617-559-8709, cajl@hebrewcollege.edu.

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