The menorah was not the original symbol of Chanukah. Why did it change? Why did the time of olive ripening become a day for matchmaking? And how does the Talmud's view of olive connoisseurs, the foodies of their day, help to resolve a 500-year old Jewish argument? This presentation by TorahFlora botanist, author and teacher Jon Greenberg, PhD will challenge you to think more deeply about the many beautiful and often surprising symbolic meanings of the olive tree and how they resonate in our own times.

Dr. Greenberg is devoted to biblical ethnobotony to better understand the Torah.  He received his doctorate in agronomy from Cornell University, and has studied with Rabbi Chaim Brovender at Israel's Yeshivat Hamivtar and conducted research on corn, alfalfa, and soybeans at Cornell, the US Dept of Agricuture, and University of PA Institute for Cancer Research.

Following the program, we will continue the conversation with a home-cooked lunch around our community table.  All are welcome!  Advance lunch reservations are required and can be made by calling (413) 442-2200 before 9 a.m. on the day of the program.  Lunch is free for adults over 60 years of age.  A suggested donation of $3 is welcomed.   $7 for all others. 

Federation makes these programs possible through the generous support of our community.