American Jews and Democracy: A Civic Text Study
Special Lecture Series
Fall 2026

American Jews and Democracy: A Civic Text Study

Program: Hebrew College Adult Learning

Instructor: Rabbi Dan Judson, Dr. Jonathan Sarna, Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld, Professor Noah Feldman
Dates: 5 Wednesdays: 11/11, 11/18, 12/2, 12/9, 12/16
Time: 4:30-6:00 p.m. ET
Course fee: Ner $180* financial aid is available – Or $360 – Ma’or – $540,
Location: In person at Hebrew College, 1860 Washington Street, Newton, MA 02466
Hosted by: Hebrew College

Course Description: The tensions of this moment over democracy and Zionism have reopened basic questions regarding Jewish and American values. To what extent do we as a Jewish community identify with American values? To what extent does a commitment to Zionism challenge those values? To what extent do we understand the challenge to long held democratic norms in America as a challenge to Jewish ideals? In honor of the American Jewish community’s 250 years of participation in American democracy, Hebrew College is hosting a lecture and conversation series featuring five public intellectuals. Each lecturer will reflect on a text or texts from the Jewish American experience which shed light on the present tensions within American Judaism and democracy. Join us as we reach back through our American Jewish history to explore and interrogate some of the most urgent questions of our era.

Each 90-minute session will combine lecture, and the opportunity for reflection and questions.
• November 11 – “To Bigotry No Sanction, To Persecution no Assistance”: George Washington’s Letter to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, RI presented by Dr. Jonathan Sarna
• November 18 – The Words that Remade America: The Gettysburg Address presented by Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum
• December 2 – Not Spectators at a Dreary Pageant: Generational Change in the Jewish Community presented by Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld
• December 9 – “No Aristocracy and No Snobocracy: In G-d’s House All Must be Equal”: Synagogue Seating, Egalitarianism, and the Changing Jewish Ideas of Democracy presented by Rabbi Dan Judson, Ph.D.
• December 16 – Divided By God: Judaism and the Separation of Church and State presented by Professor Noah Feldman

Registration: This special series is offered at three different tuition levels. $180 covers operation costs, while giving at higher levels allows us to offer financial aid to those in need and supports our adult learning initiatives.
To register, click on your preferred registration level below:
• Ner – Candle – $180
• Or – Light – $360
• Ma’or – Luminary – $540

Your presence is our top priority at whichever tuition level fits your budget.
For additional information or questions, contact the Hebrew College Adult Learning Team

Sponsor an Adult Learning Class
We warmly invite you to consider dedicating your class in loving memory or honor of a dear one by making a gift in support of Jewish learning. Simply use our secure form and indicate in the text box that this is your class sponsorship. Please be sure to write the class name so your thoughtfulness can be recognized by your instructor. (Suggested minimum gift of $360). Thank you!