Sunday, September 14, 2025

9:00 AM Pacific | 10:00 AM Mountain | 11:00AM Central | 12:00 PM Eastern

Crypto-Judaism is often described as a matriarchal religion, with conversa women as the keepers of Jewish ritual in the privacy of homes. This lecture will consider the ways in which crypto-Judaism also focuses on feminine aspects of God through the veneration of women in the Bible including Esther, Judith, and even Mary. In the period after the expulsion of Jews from Spain, Jewish mysticism also became increasingly focused on the concept of the Shekhinah, the feminine Divine Presence, as the source of salvation for conversos. Dr. Wartell will discuss the historical evolution of these themes for the fall 2025 Kanter lecture.

The above summary is a preview of what attendees will be learning during the September Kanter lecture with Professor Rebecca Wartell, PhD, Chair in Jewish Studies, Earlham University.

Mark your calendars and join us for this fascinating kickoff presentation on Sunday, September 14, 2025.