Lehrhaus Judaica > Courses > The Book of Esther
The Book of Esther
Esther's story is exciting, romantic and disturbing. Set in the lavish court of the Persian king 2,400 years ago, this tale takes readers through the dramatic ups and downs of our heroine. It also provides an early example of the anti-Semitism that has threatened the Jewish People ever since. But is there actual history in this story? And why did many ancient Jews and Christians oppose its addition to the Biblical Canon?
Our course will travel through the text in English translation and also explore the world of Esther during the Persian Empire. We’ll sample some ancient alternative additions to the text and even take a look at Esther’s ‘movie midrash’: how Hollywood has interpreted the story over the decades.
This course will be available to registered students at no extra charge via Adobe Connect online distance learning. Students may attend live in the classroom, live online or anytime via recording.
Schedule
Wednesdays, February 7, 14, 21, March 7
7:00 - 8:30 pm
$35 for members
Session | Time | Days | Location | Instructors |
---|---|---|---|---|
Feb 07 | 7:00 PM–8:30 PM | Wed | B'nai Israel | Jehon Grist |
Feb 14 | 7:00 PM–8:30 PM | Wed | B'nai Israel | Jehon Grist |
Feb 21 | 7:00 PM–8:30 PM | Wed | B'nai Israel | Jehon Grist |
Mar 07 | 7:00 PM–8:30 PM | Wed | B'nai Israel | Jehon Grist |
Location
Instructors
Jehon Grist, Ph.D., is Chief Operating Officer and Senior Educator of Lehrhaus Judaica. He earned his doctorate in Near Eastern Studies from UC Berkeley, where he was a Regents' Fellow. He has conducted field research in Israel, the Gaza Strip, and the Valley of the Queens in southern Egypt.