JTS Torah Archive

Purim: The Triumph of Understanding Over Hatred

Feb 12, 2013 By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Podcast or Radio Program | Purim

Taken from the archives of “The Eternal Light” radio program, this 1954 commentary on Purim is delivered by Murray Bellow, a noted civic leader of the time.

How They Knocked the Devil Out of Uncle Ezra

Feb 5, 2013 By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Podcast or Radio Program

What happens when a child is too smart for their own good? Find out in this humorous 1949 broadcast of The Eternal Light radio program.

Memory on Trial: Evaluating Eyewitness Identification Evidence In The 21st Century

Jan 23, 2013 By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Public Event video

Heschel’s World to Come

Jan 2, 2013 By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Documentary | Short Video

Dr. Abraham Joshua Heschel’s reflections on the world to come, from his final television interview before his death in 1972.

Shalom, Shalom, Yet There is No Peace: Waging Peace and Making War

Dec 13, 2012 By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Public Event video

How can the United States defend its freedoms? What is required to promote peace around the world? And, what was it like to be the highest-ranking Jewish officer in the US military?

Mattathias – a Story for Hanukkah

Dec 5, 2012 By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Podcast or Radio Program

Were the Assyrian-Greeks fighting a proxy war for the Soviets? You decide what this archival episode of The Eternal Light, first broadcast on December 2, 1956 is actually trying to say.

Solomon Schechter: A Personal Reflection

Nov 19, 2012 By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Podcast or Radio Program

In this archival clip from the 1945 Eternal Light program entitled “Solomon Schechter,” Rabbi Louis M. Epstein, founding rabbi of Kehillat Israel in Brookline, MA, reflects on his personal memories of Solomon Schechter.

To God’s Ear: Music and Song of the Jewish Liturgy

Oct 5, 2012 By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Documentary

A rich tapestry of traditional liturgical prayer, contemporary lyrical renditions, and fascinating commentary is interwoven with colorful scenes, from a congregational choir practice to a vibrant children’s Shaharit service. This program offers an excellent introduction to liturgical prayer. Features JTS’s H.L.Miller Cantorial School. Produced in 2000. Co-produced with Diva Media. Nominated for a 2001 New York Emmy Award for Outstanding Religious Programming.

To Lead a Jewish Life: Education for Living Part 1

Oct 5, 2012 By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Documentary

This program investigates the mechanisms Judaism has used for generations to disseminate knowledge and forge a solid connection to one’s heritage. Featuring a Solomon Schechter day school, and Camp Ramah Darom in Georgia, plus commentary from Jewish educational leaders.

To Lead a Jewish Life: Education for Living Part 2

Oct 5, 2012 By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Documentary

The Sh’ma says, “Impress them [the Torah] upon your children” (Deuteronomy 6:7), but how has Judaism done that? This program investigates the mechanisms Judaism has used for generations to disseminate knowledge and forge a solid connection to one’s heritage. Featuring a Solomon Schechter day school, and Camp Ramah Darom in Georgia, plus commentary from Jewish educational leaders.

God on Campus

Oct 5, 2012 By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Public Event video

What does it mean to be a Jew in the modern world? Rabbi Julie Roth reflects on the role of God and theology in the lives of college students. A clip from “Doing Jewish Theology Today: God, Torah, and Israel in Modern Judaism.”

An Interreligious Dialogue on Tragedy

Oct 5, 2012 By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Public Event video

You or someone you know has suffered a tragedy; how would you proceed? Many people turn to their religion in these situations. Many religions have similar practices and beliefs when it comes to tragedy, and therefore, this program will explore the views different religions have on tragedy.

And the Gates Opened: Women in the Rabbinate

Oct 5, 2012 By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Documentary

“And the Gates Opened” investigates the legacy that women are creating for Jewish religious and lay leaders. This program explores the rich history behind the move to ordain women and the current status of female religious leaders.

Choosing Life: Ways of Jewish Healing

Oct 5, 2012 By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Documentary

How does Judaism respond to tragedy, and how can it help one with healing? This and more are discussed in the documentary, “Choosing Life: Ways of Jewish Healing”

Legacy of Our Ancestors

Oct 5, 2012 By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Documentary

Legacy of Our Ancestors: 350th Anniversary Celebration of Early Jewish America This program brings to light the story of the first wave of Jewish immigration that occurred between 1654 and 1820. “Legacy” features leading Jewish historians in the field- Jonathan Sarna, Hasia Diner and Eli Faber, among others – who bring to life this rich chapter in American history.

Are We Taking Too Much?

Oct 4, 2012 By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Public Event audio

The 2010 Bokser Memorial Lecture, “Are We Taking Too Much? Urgent values Questions Brought into Focus by the Global Recession.” Featuring an opening presentation by Dr. Noam Zohar of Bar-ilan University, followed by text study led by Dr. Eliezer Diamond and Rabbi Nina Cardin, and concluding with a panel discussion between these three, moderated by Prof. Alan Mittleman.

Nostra Aetate Dialogue

Oct 4, 2012 By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Public Event audio

Judaism and Islam in America Today

Oct 25, 2011 By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Public Event video

Arnold M. Eisen, chancellor of JTS; Sherman Jackson, professor of Islam at the University of Michigan; and Serene Jones, president of Union Theological Seminary discuss Judaism and Islam in the United States today.

An Interreligious Dialogue on Healing

Sep 11, 2011 By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Public Event video

You or someone you know is ill; how would you proceed? Many people turn to their religion in these situations. Many religions have similar practices and beliefs when it comes to healing, and therefore, this program will explore the views different religions have on healing.

The State of Catholic-Jewish Relations in the United States

Apr 12, 2011 By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Public Event video

A lecture by The Most Reverend Timothy M. Dolan, archbishop of New York, and president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Followed by a dialogue between Archbishop Dolan and JTS Chancellor Arnold M. Eisen.