October 05, 2026 The Book of Esther
– A Lecture Series –

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Hebrew College is delighted to partner with the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum to present The Book of Esther, a special lecture series offered in conjunction with the museum’s exhibition, The Book of Esther in the Age of Rembrandt.

The Book of Esther tells the dramatic story of a young Jewish woman who becomes queen of Shushan while concealing her identity. Guided by her cousin Mordechai, Esther summons extraordinary courage to risk everything in order to save her people. Her story of bravery, resilience, and moral leadership continues to resonate across the centuries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jan Lievens, The Feast of Esther, c. 1625, oil on canvas, 134.6 x 165.1 cm

Program: Hebrew College Tamid
Lecturers: Dr. Rachel Adelman; Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld; Dr. Ori Soltes; Dr. Michael Zell & Simona di Nepi
Dates: 4 Mondays: 10/5, 10/12,10/19 &10/26
Time: 7-8:30 p.m. ET
Course fee: $280 (Ner/Candle), $360 (Or/Light), $500 (Ma’or/Luminary) financial aid is available,
Location: Zoom
Hosted by: Hebrew College and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

 

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Registration

This special series is offered at three different tuition levels.

$280 covers operation costs, while giving at higher levels allows us to offer financial aid to those in need and supports our adult learning initiatives.

Choose your registration level :

 

Ner – Candle – $280

Or – Light – $360

Ma’or – Luminary – $500

Your presence is our top priority at whichever tuition level fits your budget.

 

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Lectures by Date

October 5 – “Esther Concealed/Esther Revealed” with Dr. Rachel Adelman, Professor of Bible, Hebrew College

October 12 – “Jewish Stories of Esther” with Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld, President of Hebrew College

October 19 – “The History of Esther in Jewish Art in 5 Paintings” with Dr. Ori Soltes, Teaching Professor, Georgetown University & Former Director and Chief Curator of the B’nai B’rith Kluznick National Jewish Museum

October 26 – “Rembrandt and the Jews: A Dialogue Through Art” with Dr. Michael Zell, Professor of the History of Art and Architecture, Boston University and Simona di Nepi, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Curator of Judaica at the Museum of Fine Art

All lectures will be held on Zoom. As a special benefit, registered participants will also receive an exclusive private tour of the exhibition and a conversation with its curator, Dr. Diana Greenwald.

 

Additional free and discounted in-person opportunities will be available for participants in the Greater Boston area.

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In-Person Opportunities

Private Tour

“The Book of Esther in the Age of Rembrandt”

Dr. Diana Greenwald, Curator of the Collection
The Isabella Stewart Garnder Museum. Thursday, October 8, 1 p.m. (Free for lecture participants)

Panel Discussion (in partnership with the Vilna Shul)

“A Curator’s Conversation on Esther in the Age of Rembrandt”

Dr. Diana Greenwald, Curator of the Collection, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum; Abigail Rapaport, Curator of Judaica, The Jewish Museum (New York); Michele Frederick, Curator of European Art, North Carolina Museum of Art. Wednesday, October 14, 7p.m., Vilna Shul (Free for lecture participants)

Live Performance (in partnership with the Vilna Shul)

“Nightingale of Iran”

Music and theatre from Dr. Galeet Dardashti and Danielle Dardashti, award winning creators of the podcast, The Nightingale of Iran
Pre-register with the Vilna Shul: vilnashul.org/events/event/curating-esther
The panel discussion is free for lecture participants using a code that will be sent with registration for the lecture series. Thursday October 8, 7 p.m., Vilna Shul (Free for lecture participants)

A Night at the Museum (in partnership with the Gardner and The Vilna Shul)

Celebrate Jewish Persian culture and Queen Esther

Performance by Vilna Shul 2025 Creative Fellow Tutti Druyan; interview with digital storyteller Miriam Anzovin; calligraphy workshops focused on the art of the scroll; and culinary demos with Sephardic chef and Jewish food historian Sara Gardner. November 12, 6-9 p.m., Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (1/2 off ticket price for lecture participants)