When Jews Made Fellow Jews ‘Other’: Hasidism and Its Opponents

Date: Feb 02, 2022

Time: 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Sponsor: Online Learning

Location: Online

Category: Online Learning

When Jews Made Fellow Jews ‘Other’: Hasidism and Its Opponents

Part of ScholarStream, a partnership of the Conservative Movement

Wednesday, February 2, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET 
Online

Conservative Judaism provided a compelling vision for a Judaism—traditional in orientation and embracing of The Hasidim, followers of the Ba’al Shem Tov and his spiritual heirs, emerged in the 18th century with controversial ideas related to Jewish practice and belief. While Hasidim coexisted peacefully with non-Hasidim in many communities, the Mitnagdim (“opponents”) in many larger Jewish centers in Eastern Europe reacted to the Hasidim not only with condemnation, but with writs of excommunication and measures to persecute the members of the new movement. This internal Jewish religious strife led to the division of the community into rival “denominations” for the first time in nearly a thousand years. We will study the conflict between the Hasidim and Mitnagdim and reflect on how the core principles of the dispute continue to shape our Jewish lives and guide our homes and institutions. 

With Dr. David Fishman, Professor of Jewish History, JTS 

This session is the third in a series of four lectures on The Other Within—Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity in a Pluralistic Movement 

Individuals can sign up at a cost of $25 for the series, or for free with a code from a sponsoring congregation. 

ABOUT SCHOLARSTREAM 

From October through May this year, JTS is partnering with other Conservative Movement seminaries and institutions to offer eight lecture series featuring outstanding scholars and teachers from across the movement. Synagogues are invited to become ScholarStream co-sponsors so that their members may enjoy all of the lectures at no charge.