“To this day I am convinced that the only social theory of any significance – including religious significance – is that of anarchism.” – Gershom Scholem
This six part course is designed to help us understand, elaborate on, and expand the the theological concept of ‘sacred anarchism’ within Judaism. It will be an exploration via text study, and group discussion – of how modern Jewish anarchist thinkers like Martin Buber and Gustav Landauer engaged with the ‘religious’ ideas of human equality and freedom, and how they understood the Torah based ideals of ethics and justice as over and above notions of ‘rule’ and ‘law’. Throughout this course we will critically consider, and reflect on the possible implications of Jewish ‘sacred anarchism’ on what it means to be Jewish today. No prior experience or skills needed.
This class will take place in-person in central Edinburgh.
Monday 26 June, 3.30 – 5.00pm
Tuesday 27 June, 3.30 – 5.00pm
Thursday 29 June, 3.30 – 5.00pm
Monday 3 July, 3.30 – 5.00pm
Tuesday 4 July, 3.30 – 5.00pm
Wednesday 5 July, 3.30 – 5.00pm (note change due to 17 Tammuz on the Thursday).
Rabbi Dr Judith Rosen-Berry received smicha from Rabbi Sheila Shulman in 2008, and went on to become the Rabbi of the Beit Klal Yisrael community, and to also teach Jewish theology at Leo Baeck College, London. Recently she was living on the Isle of Skye, but has now returned to Oxford to teach, write and produce samizdat pamphlets on radical Jewish theology.
