Cultural Historian Lectures on Jewish-Christian Relations in the Roman Empire
The Weinberg Judaic Studies Institute of The University of Scranton will present a lecture by Steven Fine, Ph.D., titled “The Menorah and the Cross: Jewish-Christian Relations in the Christian Roman Empire,” on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m. in Brennan Hall.
Steven Fine, Ph.D., professor of Jewish history at Yeshiva University in New York City, will present a lecture titled “The Menorah and the Cross: Jewish-Christian Relations in the Christian Roman Empire,” on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m. in the Pearn Auditorium of Brennan Hall on campus. Sponsored by The Weinberg Judaic Studies Institute of The University of Scranton, the lecture is free and open to the public.
A cultural historian specializing in Jewish history in the Greco-Roman period, Dr. Fine focuses mainly on the literature, art and archaeology of ancient Judaism – and the ways that modern scholars have interpreted Jewish antiquity. Dr. Fine’s blend of history, rabbinic literature, archaeology and art, together with deep engagement with historiography and contemporary culture, is expressed in a broad range of publications. The author of academic monographs, museum catalogs, more than 60 articles and even a book for children, his most recent monograph, “Art and Judaism in the Greco-Roman World: Toward a New Jewish Archaeology,” received the 2009 Jordan Schnitzer Book Award from the Association for Jewish Studies.
Dr. Fine directs The Arch of Titus Digital Restoration Project, which in 2012, discovered evidence that the Arch of Titus menorah was painted in yellow ochre color in antiquity.
In addition to teaching at Yeshiva University, Dr. Fine has lectured, in both English and Hebrew, to both popular and academic audiences throughout the U.S., Israel and Europe. He delivered the first Cecil Roth Memorial Lecture at the Jewish Museum in London and was awarded this year’s Samaritan Medal for Peace and Human Achievement. He has held faculty positions at colleges and universities in the Northeast and in Jerusalem, Israel.
The Weinberg Judaic Studies Institute was created in 1979 through an endowment funded by the local Jewish community. The institute fosters a better understanding and appreciation of Judaism, Israel and their histories. It supports visits to the University by Jewish scholars and writers, and supports library acquisitions, publications, faculty research travel and other scholarly endeavors. The work of the institute was further enhanced by a $1 million gift from Harry Weinberg in 1990.
For further information, contact Marc Shapiro, Ph.D., professor of theology/religious studies at The University of Scranton, at 570-941-7956.
