Blank Slates and Little Demons: Two Jewish Views of Children

Date: Mar 19, 2017 - Mar 19, 2017

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Sponsor: Hereld Institute for Jewish Studies

Location: Florida

Category: JTS in Your Community

Blank Slates and Little Demons: Two Jewish Views of Children

Join JTS and Temple Judea for learning with Dr. Alan Cooper, Elaine Ravich Professor of Jewish Studies and Provost, JTS.

Sunday, March 19, 2017, 10:00 a.m.

Most early Jewish authorities regarded small children as blank slates, trainable by habituation. Partly as a result of contact with Christian views about human nature, an alternative view developed, in which children are seen more as little demons, bundles of evil impulses that must be controlled through strict discipline. Through examining several key texts, we will see how the views of Jewish scholars were influenced by their contemporaries and explore the complex relationship between Jewish texts and Jewish life.

Temple Judea
14486 A&W Bulb Road
Fort Myers, FL
(239) 433-0201

This program is free and open to the public. Registration is not required. 

This program is made possible through the generous support of the Hereld Institute for Jewish Studies of JTS.