“Traditions Askew: Yidishkayt and Kabbalah in I.B. Singer's Fiction”

The Center for Christian-Jewish Understanding (CCJU) of Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut, sponsored a public lecture on Wednesday, September 29, 2004, in collaboration with the Ryan Matura Library, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association. The lecture took place at the Mahogany Room at Sacred Heart University.

Dr. Barbara Gitenstein, president of the College of New Jersey in Trenton, will deliver the lecture entitled, “Traditions Askew: Yidishkayt and Kabbalah in I.B. Singer's Fiction.” Isaac Bashevis Singer was an accomplished author of fiction and Nobel Laureate, whose body of work includes dozens of short stories and several novels which explore the themes of redemption and damnation, the Jewish-Polish experience, and the spiritual and psychological barriers between men and women in 20th century society. Dr. Gitenstein has published several articles of literary criticism on Singer's writings. She is also the first woman president of the College of New Jersey in its 148-year history, and is the author of the book, Apocalyptic Messianism and Contemporary Jewish-American Poetry. She completed her Ph.D. at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

This lecture was the first in a series of three on I. B. Singer's life and work hosted this year by the University. The other dates scheduled were Sunday, October 17, and Sunday, November 7; with Dr. Michelle Loris and Dr. James Castonguay, professors of English and Media Studies at Sacred Heart University, respectively, speaking. For information on any of the upcoming lectures, please contact the CCJU at 203-365-7592.

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