Workshop: Shalom Spiegel Institute of Medieval Hebrew Poetry Summer Seminar

The Shalom Spiegel Institute Summer Seminar in Medieval Hebrew Poetry

Weeklong Seminar on Shem Tov ibn Falaquera

The 2023 session of the Shalom Spiegel Institute of Medieval Hebrew Poetry at the Jewish Theological Seminary, New York, will be dedicated to the work of Shem Tov b. Joseph ibn Falaquera (ca. 1225-1295) and to the memory of Michael Rand z”l (1972-2022). It will be held at the Seminary from June 11-16, 2023. The week will include daily seminars with leading scholars on various aspects of ibn Falaquera’s work (Hebrew poetry and philosophical writings) as well as instruction in developing skills in the close reading of medieval Hebrew texts. The seminar will meet for morning and afternoon sessions Monday through Thursday, concluding with one session and lunch on Friday.

The program is intended to supplement academic programs that offer medieval Jewish studies or general Hebrew literature but do not provide courses in which medieval Hebrew texts are read in the original. It is also expected to benefit students and faculty who have had access to such courses, but whose academic work would benefit from more intensive training in this area. 

Organizers:

Dana Fishkin, Touro University

Isabelle Levy, Columbia University   

Raymond Scheindlin, Director Emeritus, Shalom Spiegel Institute, Jewish Theological Seminary

Featured Presenters: 

Steven Harvey (Bar Ilan University), Ayelet Oettinger (Oranim College), James Robinson (University of Chicago).

How to Apply:

To apply, write a letter of no more than two pages covering the following points:

1. Describe your academic program and interests, explaining how some study of medieval Hebrew poetry might relate to your work.
2. Describe your knowledge of Hebrew, particularly a. your ability to read academic prose; b. your familiarity with such classical texts as the Bible, Talmud, or medieval literature.
3. Provide the name and e-mail address of an academic mentor who is familiar with your program of study and your language skills and who can evaluate your academic performance. Recommendations will only be requested on an individual basis if deemed necessary.

Letters should be received by January 15, 2023, and should be addressed to Dana Fishkin and Isabelle Levy at spiegelseminar@gmail.com Applicants who are accepted to the program will be notified by February 15, 2023. For further questions, please write to Isabelle Levy (icl2001@columbia.edu) or Dana Fishkin (dana.fishkin@touro.edu).