Friends or Foes: Jewish-Christian Relations in the Middle Ages

March 12, 2018 - 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Friends or Foes: Jewish-Christian Relations in the Middle Ages
Monday nights, March 12, 19 and 26 from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Taught by: Caroline Gruenbaum

In this three-week course, we will explore the dimensions of Jewish-Christian relations in the Middle Ages. We will challenge the idea of the Middle Ages as a time of violence and strife, emphasizing the places where Jews and their neighbors lived peacefully. The Middle Ages saw a renaissance in Jewish spiritual and cultural life, with communities producing literature, art, and new forms of religious observance, often with inspiration from their Christian neighbors. Each week will feature a different topic relating to Jewish-Christian relations (i.e., war and peace, daily life, and art and literature). Throughout our sessions, we will use lessons from the past to understand better the current situation of many American Jews who work, live, and socialize with non-Jews, while maintaining a Jewish identity. No previous knowledge of Hebrew or the medieval period is necessary—the only requirement is a curiosity about the Jewish past.    

Caroline Gruenbaum is a doctoral candidate at New York University in Hebrew & Judaic Studies and Medieval Studies. Her dissertation explores the origins and functions of medieval Hebrew literature in northern Europe.