Eighth Annual JTS Evening of Learning

Expanding the Canon: Transforming Judaism in the 21st Century

Sunday, May 15, 6:00-8:30 p.m. ET 

Online via Zoom

Jewish learning has long focused on texts by an elite group of ancient rabbis. What would it mean to radically expand our canon, incorporating the voices of women, Jews of Color, people with disabilities, and other historically marginalized groups? JTS scholars will introduce new voices and also offer new lenses through which to read ancient texts. Together we will explore how diversifying our canonical texts can help us create a more inclusive Jewish community. 

Chancellor Shuly Rubin Schwartz, keynote presentation, “Expanding the Canon at JTS and Beyond”

Study sessions led by JTS scholars and alumni: 

• Rabbi Eliezer Diamond, PhD, Rabbi Judah Nadich Associate Professor of Talmud and Rabbinics, JTS 
• Heather Miller, Founder, The Multitudes and USCJ Board Member
• Dr. Ora Horn Prouser, JTS alumna and CEO and Academic Dean, Academy for Jewish Religion 
• Dr. Michal Raucher, JTS Fellow and Assistant Professor of Jewish Studies, Rutgers University 

Topics will include:

• The God of Whom? Including the Matriarchs in the Amidah
• From Justification to Justice: Jewish Sources on Abortion
• A New Understanding of B’tzelem Elohim: Biblical Text through the Lens of Disability Studies
• Racial Equity is Skin Deep: Exploring Bias in our Texts

Program Schedule

After the closing panel, we will conclude with Ma’ariv at 8:30 p.m.

Program Partners  

Adas Israel Congregation 
Agudas Achim Congregation 
B’nai Israel Congregation 
B’nai Shalom of Olney 
Congregation B’nai Tzedek  
Congregation Beth El  
Congregation Har Shalom 
Congregation Olam Tikvah  
Haberman Institute for Jewish Studies 
Kehilat Shalom 
Kol Shalom  
Ohr Kodesh Congregation 
Shaare Tefila Congregation 
Shaare Torah 
Tifereth Israel Congregation 
Tikvat Israel Congregation 

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