Civic Friendship in Times of Crisis and War: Jewish Thought, Political Theory, and the Story of Hanukkah
Date: Dec 11, 2023
Time: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Sponsor: Online Learning | Public Lectures and Events
Location: Online
Category: Online Learning Public Lectures & Events Two Are Better Than One
Civic Friendship in Times of Crisis and War: Jewish Thought, Political Theory, and the Story of Hanukkah
December 11, 2023
1:00–2:30 p.m. ET
Part of our fall learning series, “Two Are Better Than One:” Friendship in Jewish Text, Thought, and Life
With Dr. Shira Billet, Assistant Professor of Jewish Thought and Ethics, JTS
Ancient philosophers described a political ideal of “civic friendship,” the idea that fellow citizens in a political community ought to pursue a certain kind of bond of friendship, in order to create flourishing societies steeped in a robust social fabric. Join Dr. Shira Billet to explore the central role of notions of civic friendship in traditional Jewish sources. In light of current events in Israel, we will turn our attention to Jewish texts that relate to civic friendship in wartime and in times of crisis, with special connections drawn to the holiday of Hannukah.
If you have previously registered for another session in this series, “Two Are Better Than One:” Friendship in Jewish Text, Thought, and Life, your registration admits you to all sessions in the series, and you may attend as many as you’d like.
Note: The Zoom link for this session will be in the confirmation email that you receive after you register.
ABOUT THE SERIES
“Two Are Better Than One:” Friendship in Jewish Text, Thought, and Life
Friendship is a critical component of our daily lives, our mental health, and our Jewish communal experiences. Ecclesiastes (4:9) posits, “Two are better than one,” underscoring the significance of companionship and partnership in Jewish tradition and the role they play in a life well-lived.
In this series, JTS scholars will explore the concept of friendship through Jewish texts, history, and thought. They will examine a range of paradigms for friendship and consider what values emerge from each. Together, we will reflect on friendship in times of joy and times of crisis, both with those in our inner circles and with our neighbors and fellow citizens more broadly.
