Rabbi Professor Jonathan Magonet to present Judaic Studies lecture at Fairfield University

Rabbi Professor Jonathan Magonet to present Judaic Studies lecture at Fairfield University

Image: Rabbi Jonathan Magonet Rabbi Professor Jonathan Magonet will deliver the free, public lecture "Did They Fall or Were They Pushed? What Happened in the Garden of Eden?" on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m. in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business at Fairfield University. Professor Magonet is president of Leo Baeck College - Centre for Jewish Education, London, the leading seminary for training reform, liberal and conservative rabbis in Europe.

Professor Magonet's academic field is the Hebrew Bible, and he has published popular books on Biblical narrative and poetry. He is the co-editor of the liturgies of the Reform Synagogues of Great Britain and a vice-president of the World Union for Progressive Judaism. In addition to co-organizing the annual Jewish-Christian-Muslim Student Conference in Bendorf, Germany, for over thirty years he has organized a Jewish-Christian Bible Week at the same venue. He broadcasts on the BBC World Service and German radio, and has advised on television programs and the film "King David."

Professor Magonet's many publications include "Form and Meaning: Studies in Literary Techniques in the Book Jonah," (Frankfurt, 1976); "A Rabbi's Bible," (London, SCM Press, 1991); "Bible Lives," (London, SCM Press, 1992); A Rabbi Reads the Psalms (London, SCM Press, 1994); The Subversive Bible (London, SCM Press, 1997); The Explorer's Guide to Judaism (1998); Abraham-Jesus-Mohammed: Interreligiöser Dialog aus jüdischer Perspektive (1999); and From Autumn to Summer: A Biblical Journey Through the Jewish Year (2000).

Professor Magonet's new book, "Talking to the Other: Jewish Interfaith Dialogue with Christians and Muslims," will be available for sale following the lecture.

"We are thrilled that Professor Jonathan Magonet will be coming to Fairfield University," said Ellen Umansky, Ph.D., Director of the Carl and Dorothy Bennett Center for Judaic Studies at Fairfield University. "He is an internationally renowned biblical scholar and a pioneer in interfaith dialogue. Today, more than ever, it is essential that Jews, Christians, and Muslims understand our religious commonalities and respect our differences."

Professor Magonet's lecture is sponsored by the Bennett Center for Judaic Studies. There is no charge for admission to the public lecture, however space is limited and reservations are requested. For information and reservations, please contact Judaic Studies at Fairfield University at (203) 254-4000, ext. 2066.

Posted On: 10-09-2003 09:10 AM

Volume: 36 Number: 75