Janice Fernheimer, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Title: Hora-dancing in Harlem: Hatzaad Harishon, Zionism, and the Rhetoric of Black Jewish Identity. Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 Time: 5:00 pm Location: Golding Builiding, Room107, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA In this talk, HBI Scholar-in-Residence Janice Fernheimer will discuss Hatzaad Harishon, a biracial non-profit organization that promoted unity among New York City's black and white Jewish populations by emphasizing Zionism and identification with Israel. Fernheimer will show how the group's nationally recognized black Jewish youth dance troupe and itswhite Jewish leader, Sybil Kaufman, exemplify both the organization's successes and challenges in advocating for a more inclusive, diverse concept of Jewish identity.

Vanessa Paloma, Independent Scholar, Soloist, Performance Artist, Writer and Lecturer.

Title: Mother, Lover, Adulteress or Bride? Gender and Power in Judeo-Spanish Romances from Northern Morocco Date: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 Time: 7:45 pm Location: Lieberman-Miller Lecture Hall, Epstein Building, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA Judeo-Spanish women's oral literature was a powerful medium for cultural transmission of identity and gender roles in the Spanish-speaking Jewish community of Northern Morocco. These songs have embedded messages ranging from deep spiritual teachings to humorous sexual innuendos which simultaneously formed part of a vibrant private women's world. Refreshments will be served after the concert.

The Hadassah-Brandeis Institute develops fresh ways of thinking about Jews and gender worldwide by producing and promoting scholarly research and artistic projects. All HBI lectures are free and open to the public.