Fairfield University's Bennett Center hosts Scholar-in-Residence | Press Releases

Dr. Arnold M. Eisen will be the guest speaker at a lecture hosted by Fairfield University's Bennett Center for Judaic Studies on Monday, April 30, at 7:30 p.m., in the university's Charles F. Dolan School of Business. Dr. Eisen will discuss "Jews, Judaism and Multicultural America."

The university's first Judaic Studies Scholar-in-Residence, Dr. Eisen is a professor of religious studies at Stanford University and the author numerous books and articles about contemporary Jewish life and thought in America and Israel. His latest book, "Rethinking Modern Judaism: Ritual, Commandment, Community," was recently awarded the Koret Jewish Book Award.

Dr. Eisen has worked with synagogue and federation leaders in the United States examining issues of Jewish identity, the revitalization of Jewish tradition and the redefinition of the American Jewish community. Along with sociologist Steven M. Cohen, he is concluding the final stages of a study about how being Jewish affects the private and public lives of Americans.

Dr. Eisen will spend two days on campus as Scholar-in-Residence. On Monday morning, April 30, he will give a presentation at the Faculty Jewish Forum for university faculty and staff, on Monday afternoon he will meet with university students in various classes and, that evening at 7:30 p.m., will deliver his lecture in the Dolan School of Business. On Tuesday morning Dr. Eisen will lead a discussion with local clergy and Jewish Community Center personnel at a breakfast meeting hosted by Congregation Beth El of Fairfield and Congregation B'nai Israel of Bridgeport. On Tuesday afternoon, he will meet with members of the university's Religious Studies faculty.

The April 30 lecture is free and open to the public but reservations are suggested. The university's Carl and Dorothy Bennett Center for Judaic Studies, under the direction of Dr. Ellen M. Umansky, and the Schnurmacher Foundations are sponsors of the event. For more information or to reserve a seat, call Judaic Studies at (203) 254-4000, ext. 2066.