LIVING THE AMERICAN JEWISH EXPERIENCE

Dr. Jonathan SarnaDr. Jonathan Sarna Bio
Dr. Dean BellDr. Dean Bell Bio

Living the American Jewish Experience is an annual lecture and year-round programs that explore American Jewish identity within its historical context and the contemporary challenges of being Jewish in America.

The initiative brings leading contemporary thinkers to Austin to share provocative perspectives that encourage critical thinking about the fundamental assumptions, questions, and issues facing the American Jewish community—as well as individual Jews and families—today.

Click on lecture topic to download the lecture and on lecturer's name for their bio

January 7, 2025 The Scourge and the Surge: Post – October 7 American Jewry in Historical PerspectiveDr. Jonathan D. Sarna, renowned professor of American Jewish History, Brandeis University

January 8, 2026 Jews Have Never Lived in a Vacuum: Interreligious Engagement and the American Jewish ExperienceDr. Dean Bell, President & CEO, Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership

The LTAJE lecture series is hosted by Shalom Austin