Department of Judaic Studies Presents 'Foodaism' Lecture Series

According to a classic Jewish text, “Without food, there is no Torah; without Torah, there is no food.” (Pirkei Avot, 3.17). Eating practices are deeply embedded in Jewish civilization, including questions of what Jews eat, forbidden foods, when to eat, when not to eat, with whom to eat, and how to prepare foods. 

The Department of Judaic Studies at UC’s McMicken College of Arts and Sciences is hosting a lecture series this fall devoted to exploring the connections between Judaism and food. The “Foodaism” lecture series — presented in cooperation with the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, the Ohio Humanities Council, the Charles Phelps Taft Research Center, and Mayerson Jewish Community Center — will feature topics including Jewish food in antiquity, food and contemporary Jewishness, as well as modern Jewish food practices.

Scheduled speakers include:

• Jordan Rosenblum is the Belzer Associate Professor of Classical Rabbinic Literature at University of Wisconsin, Madison. Rosenblum, author of “Food and Identity is Early Rabbinic Judaism,” will present his lecture "Crying Fowl: How Chicken Upsets the Kosher Laws." This lecture will be presented on Monday, Oct. 20 at 1 Edwards Center on UC’s main campus at 7 p.m.
• Claudia Roden is an internationally renowned cookbook author and food intellectual. The winner of the James Beard Award for Best Cookbook of the Year and the National Jewish Book Award, among many others, Roden will discuss Jewish food within the broader framework of cultural practices, sharing recipes and the stories behind them. Roden will also be offering a cooking demonstration. Check the Judaic Studies website for details. This lecture will be presented on Sunday, Nov. 9 at the Mayerson Jewish Community Center at 7 p.m.
• Jenna Weissman Joselit is the Charles E. Smith Professor of Judaic Studies and Professor of History, and Director of the Program in Judaic Studies, at George Washington University. An authoritative expert on issues of contemporary Jewish food culture within American culture, Weissman Joselit will offer a presentation called “The Great Vinegar Controversy of 1986 and Other Food Fights in American Jewish History.” This lecture will be presented Wednesday, Nov. 19 in McMicken Hall on UC’s main campus at 7 p.m.