Dr. Jeffrey I. Israel, Assistant Professor of Religion at Williams College, will explore how this controversial fictional monologue of a patient to his psychiatrist has influenced Jewish literature and American Jewish identity since its 1969 debut.  Renowned scholar of Jewish mysticism Gershom Sholem called it “the book for which all anti-Semites have been praying.”  Yet Rabbi Eugene Borowitz called it “one of the great moral documents and Jewish books of our time.” 

The program which is free, takes place after Shirei Shabbat, a musical service and community dinner from 5:30-7:30. Reservations for the full evening, including dinner ($18 per adult), can be made at www.knessetisrael.org before November 12^th.  More info: (413) 445-4872 x. 10