Welcome to Delve Deeper, a Jewish education initiative that brings dynamic teachers to lead in-depth, university level courses to a diverse group of adult learners in greater Rhode Island.

Welcome to Delve Deeper, a Jewish education initiative that brings dynamic teachers to lead in-depth, university level courses to a diverse group of adult learners in greater Rhode Island.

 The Land of Israel from Antiquity to Present

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all consider the land of Israel to be, in some sense, "holy."  But what does that really mean, and what is its significance?  In this course, we will take a deep historical dive into the texts that discuss and define the holiness of the land, including Jerusalem.  Our focus will be on traditional Jewish texts, such as the Bible, the Talmud, the siddur, the Zohar, and the law codes, while also occasionally including evidence from archaeology as well as Christian and Moslem perspectives.  Toward the end of the class, we will see how these ideas played (and continue to play) a role in the Zionist movement and the modern State of Israel.

Michael L. Satlow, Ph.D., is professor of Judaic studies and religious studies at Brown University, where he specializes in the study of Jews and Judaism in antiquity.  His books include How the Bible Became Holy and Creating Judaism: History, Tradition, Practice. His latest, forthcoming book is entitled An Enchanted World: The Shared Spiritual Landscape of Late Antiquity.  He also directs a site devoted to the Inscriptions of Israel/Palestine.

WHERE: Classes will be offered in hybrid format. Participants can meet in person at the Jewish Alliance OR via Zoom

COST: $250 for 10 sessions

Please do not let cost be a barrier! For tuition assistance, contact Morty Miller mortymiller1945@gmail.com or the rabbi at a sponsoring synagogue.

To register, visit https://www.teprov.org/delvedeeper/registration/Fall2025.html

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Delve Deeper is an adult education initiative that brings dynamic teachers to present in-depth, university-level Judaic courses to a diverse group of adult learners.  Delve Deeper programs are presented in cooperation with the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island and area synagogues Congregation Beth Shalom, Congregation Jeshuat Yisrael, Temple Beth-El, Temple Emanu-El, Temple Habonim, Temple Sinai, and Temple Torat Yisrael, and the Jewish Community Day School of Rhode Island. Financial support is provided by the Joseph and Jacqueline Teverow Memorial Fund at the Jewish Federation Foundation of Greater Rhode Island.