Wendy Amsellem

Wendy Amsellem is Director of the Dr. Beth Samuels High School Program at Drisha Institute in New York City. She is pursuing a PhD in Judaic Studies at New York University and has a BA in History and Literature from Harvard University. A list of her publications can be found at Beliefnet.com.

Schedule of Programs - November 1 - 5, 2007

• Thursday, Nov. 1, 7 PM
  Location: Beth Israel Sinai Congregation, 944 Main Street, Racine, WI
  
  Topic: "The Mirror Has Two Faces: Vashti and Esther"

  Both in the text of Megilat Esther and in rabbinic lore, Vashti and Esther are presented as foils to each other. Yet a closer reading reveals that Vashti and Esther also have some striking similarities and that Esther must learn to emulate Vashti if she is to survive.

  Friday, Nov. 2, 6:45 PM

  Location: Congregation Anshe Sfard Kehillat Torah (ASKT) 6717 N. Green Bay Rd, Glendale
  

  Topic: "Elisha ben Abuyah: What Went Wrong"

  Despite a promising start as a First Century Sage and Scholar, Elisha ben Abuyah leaves the path and becomes a notorious heretic. How did that happen? We will study an array of Rabbinic texts that seek to explain Elisha's apostasy and explore the potential reasons why a believer would lose faith.

  Saturday, Nov. 3, 11:30 AM (after morning services)

  Location: Congregation Anshe Sfard Kehillat Torah (ASKT) 6717 N. Green Bay Rd, Glendale
  

  Topic: "Elisha and R. Meir: Tainted Torah? "

  Even once Elisha ben Abuyah becomes a heretic, his student R. Meir continues to learn from him. Why does Meir persist in studying with Elisha? Why does Elisha keep teaching Meir? Does this relationship taint Rabbi Meir's Torah? We will explore their complicated relationship and examine the nature of pedagogic loyalties.

  Saturday, Nov. 3, 5:45 PM (after Mincha)

  Location: Congregation Anshe Sfard Kehillat Torah (ASKT) 6717 N. Green Bay Rd, Glendale
  

  Topic: "Ima Shalom: A Life in Four Parts"

  Ima Shalom, as the wife of R. Eliezer and the sister of Rabban Gamliel, was at times at the center of rabbinic happenings and at times torn apart by them. We will study the passages in the Talmud Bavli that describe her life and explore the privileges, responsibilities and limitations of being a woman connected to powerful men.

  Saturday, Nov. 3, 7:30 PM (Melava Malka)

  Location: Lake Park Synagogue 3207 N. Hackett, Milwaukee
  

  Topic: "The Banishment and Retrieval of Ishmael"

  As she approaches her late seventies and is still childless, Sarah decides to take matters into her own hands and marries her maidservant Hagar off to her husband Abraham. What were Sarah, Hagar and Abraham's hopes for this union? We will explore the birth of Hagar's son Ishmael and his eventual banishment. We will explore why Abraham sent Ishmael away and how the Rabbis struggle to bring Ishmael back.

  Sunday, Nov. 4, 7:00 PM

  Location: Congregation Anshe Poale Zedek, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
  

  Topic to be determined

  Monday, Nov. 5, 9:30-10:AM

  Location: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Class of Dr. Sherry Blumberg
  

  Topic to be determined

For information about ASKT programs, call Dan Weber at 228-8847. For information on other programs, contact the Society at 963-4135 or wsjl@wsjl.org.