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An Evening With Tamar Biala, Rabbi Avi Killip and Rabbi Avi Strausberg
“Dirshuni is a collection of modern Israeli women’s midrash, which brings together voices from across the religious spectrum. The feminist theologian and author, Tamar Biala, composed a selection of these midrashim, and collected and painstakingly edited others. She provides a lucid commentary on each piece, with reference to the classic rabbinic sources. Dirshuni expands the canon to include contemporary women authors and is a must for every modern Jewish bookshelf!” says Rav Rachel Adelman, Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible at Hebrew College.
Join us on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. at Hebrew College for an evening of study and conversation where we will explore the meaning of the project that seeks to expand our sacred texts.
Please join us in marking the publication of the English volume of Dirshuni, the first-ever English edition of a historic collection of midrashim composed by Israeli women, which has been long-anticipated by multiple American audiences, including synagogues, rabbinical seminaries, adult learning programs, Jewish educators, and scholars of gender and religion.
Using the classical forms developed by the ancient rabbis, the contributors express their religious and moral thought and experience through innovative interpretations of scripture. The women writers, from all denominations and beyond, of all political stripes and ethnic backgrounds, contribute their Torah to fill the missing half of the sacred Jewish bookshelf. This book reflects dramatic changes in the agency of women in the world of religious writings.
This event is made possible through generous support from Hebrew College Board of Trustees member Diane Troderman.
>> View the flyer [pdf]
Speakers
Tamar Biala teaches in various Batei Midrash, rabbinical schools, and adult education programs in the US and Israel. She co edited Volume 1 of the Hebrew language edition of Dirshuni: Women’s Midrash with Nehama Weingarten Mintz and in 2018 edited volume 2. In 2022 she published an English volume Dirshuni—Contemporary Women’s Midrash (Brandeis University Press). Currently, with Yael Kanarek, she is working on the Toratah project of regendering the Hebrew bible
Rabbi Avi Killip `14 is the executive vice president at Hadar. She received her rabbinic ordination and MJEd from Hebrew College and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Brandeis University. She was a Wexner Graduate Fellow and a Schusterman Fellow. Avi teaches as part of Hadar’s Faculty and is host of the Responsa Radio podcast.
Rabbi Avi Strausberg `15 is the senior director of National Learning Initiatives at Hadar, and is based in Washington, DC. Previously, she served as the Director of Congregational Learning of Temple of Aaron in St. Paul, MN. She received her rabbinic ordination and MJEd from Hebrew College and is a Wexner Graduate Fellow. Avi has worked as a chaplain intern at Hebrew SeniorLife and organized an anti-trafficking campaign as a rabbinic fellow at T’ruah.
Event Co-Sponsors
We are grateful to our co-sponsors: Brandeis University Press, Hadar, Hadassah-Brandeis Institute, Israeli American Council, Kerem Shalom, Kehillath Israel, Lehrhaus, Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, Temple Reyim, and Temple Beth Zion.
