This virtual three-part mini-course will offer an introduction to Sephardic folklore by presenting three folk heroes—the saint, the queen, and the joker--of early modern Sephardic Jewry, i.e., the descendants of Jews who were expelled from Spain and Portugal between 1492–1497 and settled mostly in the Mediterranean Basin and Western Europe. Taught by visiting scholar Dr. Ron Lasri, the course will explore the beliefs, stories, and customs associated with these heroes, as well as consider their role in Sephardic culture. By analyzing these figures, participants will also gain a better understanding of everyday life in major Sephardic communities, such as Constantinople, Salonica, Safed, and Amsterdam. The sessions will be held on Mondays, March 21 and 28, and April 4, from 7:00-8:00 pm. Free and open to the public, advance registration is required on the Bildner Center website at: http://BildnerCenter.Rutgers.edu
Sponsor: The Allen and Joan Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life at Rutgers University