UC's Judaic Studies to Host Lecture Series on Jewish Law

The University of Cincinnati's Department of Judaic Studies is sponsoring the 2013-2014 Jacob and Jennie L. Lichter Lecture Series in Judaic Studies, "Pursuing Justice: Jewish Law in the 21st Century."

Although the separation between church and state is not a new idea, Western states are still faced with the challenge of figuring out how religious law fits into specific aspects of modern society. In a post-9/11 world, Americans have become more aware of the role Islamic law plays in Muslim countries, developing further the scholarship that concerns the intersection of religious law and the modern state. 

The 2013-2014 lecture series focuses on this topic, hoping to deepen the understanding of students and faculty about the constant relationship between Jewish law and the law of the secular state in both Israel and the United States.  

“We are excited to have such a diverse group of speakers for this year’s lecture series,” says Judaic Studies Department Head Gila Naveh. “Each speaker brings a different perspective to the table, and we hope their knowledge will provide an exceptional, interdisciplinary learning experience for those interested in Jewish law.”

There will be three lectures in the series:

• David Flatto, Professor of Law, Penn State University
  “The Concept of a Separation of Powers: A Novel Doctrine in Early Jewish Jurisprudence and its Analogs in Modern Western Jurisprudence"
  Wednesday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m.
  Taft Center, 1 Edwards Center, UC campus (On this UC map, Edwards Center can be found at the lower right. A parking garage is attached to the center.)
  

• Gary J. Jacobsohn, Malcolm Macdonald Professor in Constitutional and Comparative Law, University of Texas at Austin
  “Constitutions in Divided Societies: The Case of Israel”
  Monday, Nov. 4, 7 p.m.
  UC College of Law, Room 114 (On this UC map, the UC College of Law can be found at the lower left.)
  

• Rabbi Rachel Sabath Beit-Halachmi, PhD, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
  “Women of the Wall: Recent Legal Developments”
  Sunday, Nov. 17, 7 p.m.
  Mayerson Jewish Community Center, 8485 Ridge Road