Matriarchs: The Strong, Proud and Willful Women of Genesis
Hosted By: My Jewish Learning
With novelist and teacher Ruby Namdar
4 Tuesdays at 6 p.m. ET: 9/8, 9/15, 9/22 and 9/29
We often think of women in ancient times as powerless and lacking in agency, but the book of Genesis shows us something different.
The Hebrew Bible is by no means a modern feminist text, but our matriarch characters remain active, complex, strong and awe-inspiring. The proud Mesopotamian aristocrat Sarah; the tough and calculating Rebecca; The willful sisters Rachel and Leah; and of course the bold and cunning Tamar, who redeemed herself from the abyss of oblivion by risking everything she had.
In this online class with renowned Jewish literature professor Ruby Namdar, we will reacquaint ourselves with these incredible Biblical characters, focusing on their own journeys — and not only on their roles in the patriarchal lineage and narrative.
This course is open to all levels and experiences in both Jewish learning and writing. No previous knowledge of Hebrew or Jewish text is necessary. And your purchase comes with the recordings of class, which won’t expire.
Refresh your view of some of the Bible’s best stories this High Holiday season!
