This fascinating new course will explore the impact of modernity in all of its diverse forms on the Jewish way of life. It asks just what ‘modernity’ is, identifies its key thinkers and its central themes and observes how the Jewish world embraced, rejected or was forced to accept what it brought.

From the Enlightenment (Haskalah) to the post-Holocaust age, from Moses Mendelssohn to Samson Raphael Hirsch, from the birth of the German Reform movement to the birth of Israel, Responses to Modernity takes you on an compelling journey charting the evolution of the Jewish world from 1780 to the present day.

·    1st term – 1780-1850 The Emergence of Modernity, the Enlightenment, and its Immediate Issues. See how Kant, Descartes and the Enlightenment they helped defi ne impacted on the Jewish way of life. Explore the changing face of world Jewry, the onset of mass immigration and learn about the great ideas of Jewish leaders like Moses Mendelssohn and Samson Raphael  Hirsch

·    2nd term – 1850-1945 Jewish Culture and Life in the Modern Period. Examine the factors that gave rise to denominational Judaism in this turbulent period. Look at the emergence of political and religious Zionism and see how aliyah affected the Jewish community in Palestine. You will also focus on the unique role of Rav Kook in the Zionist narrative

·    3rd term – 1948-2010 Burning Contemporary Issues. Understand how the Jewish world set about rebuilding communities shattered by the Shoah and study post-Holocaust philosophy. You will also look at the establishment of the State of Israel and the far-reaching impact of the Six Day War. In addition, you will learn about the role of women in Judaism, the growth of outreach movements, the issues surrounding conversion and conclude by asking the key question, ‘has modernity been good for the Jewish community?’

Teaching faculty

Dr Simon Cooper

Dr Benjamin Elton

Lindsey Taylor-Guthartz

Ariel Kahn

Maureen Kendler

R. Michael Pollak

R. Johnny Solomon

Dr Raphael Zarum

Study times & term dates

Students have two options of study times:

Option 1: Weds 1:00pm – 3:00pm

Option 2: Weds 8:00pm – 10:00pm

1st term: 27 Oct – 15 Dec 2010

2nd term: 19 Jan – 16 Mar 2011

3rd term: 18 May – 13 Jul 2011

Course fee £250