Anyone who has ever listened to a commencement speech knows the drill. We expect graduation addresses to be long on wisdom, punctuated by humor, and—most important—short in duration.

In 1800, Sampson Simson (1780-1857) delivered a commencement speech at Columbia College (he was its first Jewish graduate, and would go on to found Mt. Sinai Hospital) in Hebrew. His talk was short in duration, but its implications were wide-ranging. It was America's first public expression of Jewish identity, and it also declared the existence of a quintessential national character-type: the New York Jew.

Join Fitchburg State Professor Michael Hoberman, Professor of American Literature, to learn about Samson Simon and this historic period.

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. the day BEFORE (Wed) the program.  Suggested donation of $3 for adults over age 60.  $7 for all others.

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