Dr. Jonathan D. Sarna. Courtesy: Dr. Jonathan D. Sarna 

Dr. Jonathan Sarna, professor and director at the Schusterman Center for Israel Studies at Brandeis University, will speak on “The Scourge and the Surge: Post – October 7 American Jewry in Historical Perspective” on January 7 at 7 p.m. at the Dell Jewish Community Campus.   

Last winter, Marcia and Barry Silverberg shared their vision for an ongoing focus on American Jewish experience with Rachel Stern, Shalom Austin Chief Strategy and Impact officer. They sought a focus on the American Jewish experience in addition to Israel and the Holocaust within Bernard & Audre Rapoport Center for Jewish Culture and Education.  

Stern recently spoke to them about what motivated them to undertake this multi-year, free to the community, initiative.  

 Question: How did the two of you come up with this idea?   

Marcia: Barry and I are both students of American Jewish history. We appreciate the focus on Israel, especially right now. We also believe attention should be paid to the rich history that we, as Jews, have in America.  

Barry: I initially planned on being a professor of American Jewish history, before I entered Jewish communal service. Encouraging others to learn more about our 370 years of Jewish life in America – which shapes who we are as American Jews – has always been a passion of mine. This initiative is a way to offer an opportunity for all who may be interested to learn more about American Jewish history and its impact on our contemporary lives.   

Question: This lecture fills an important need, and you decided to fund this experience. Can you share why?  

Barry: My research showed there are no current college level courses about American Jewish history in Texas, nor any adult learning opportunities in Austin. Believing in personal; responsibility and the idea of Acharai, “after me,” we took action. Everybody can make things happen if they want.    

Marcia: Through my involvement with the Shalom Austin Jewish Foundation, I’ve learned a lot more about how giving can happen. I am inspired by the Leslie Brittman Literary Fund that sponsors an author event each year. It reflects the Brittman family’s commitment and passion to honor their late wife and mother. Similarly, Barry and I are passionate about honoring and cherishing our American Jewish past.    

Question: How did you come to select Dr. Jonathan Sarna as your inaugural speaker?   

Barry: In our proposal to establish the series we wrote that we wanted to bring to Austin contemporary thinkers to share their provocative perspectives so as to foster critical thinking about the fundamental assumptions and issues confronting the American Jewish community and individual American Jews and families. Jonathan Sarna and I were both Brandeis University’s graduate students at the same time. He was in Near Eastern & Judaic studies while I was in Contemporary Jewish Studies. He was brilliant then and has since become the leading American Jewish historian. He shares our vision and is the ideal person to be our inaugural speaker.  

Marcia: I learned of Dr. Sarna through Barry. When I read his seminal work, American Judaism: A History, I was impressed by how he weaves the modern themes of the political, technological, and economic environments, through American Jewish history so that you can understand it. With my background in sociology and social work, I appreciated the scope and depth of his scholarship.   

To register and learn more visit  shalomaustin.org/sarna