An academic from the University of Worcester will examine how Jewish thinkers have understood God’s presence before, during and after the Holocaust in a free event at The Hive.
Dr Luke Devine, Head of History and Sociology at the University of Worcester, will deliver his talk, The Holocaust: Understanding the Role of Divine Presence in Jewish History, Tradition, and Responses to Auschwitz, at The Hive at 18.30 on 5 February.
He will look at the Shekhinah, the attribute of God’s presence, and show how traditional and historical Jewish teachings about it have shaped responses to the Holocaust.
“This lecture will look at how these responses didn’t appear out of nowhere,” said Dr Devine. “They grow out of earlier Jewish thought and continue to influence new forms of Judaism today. These traditions all wrestle with the same questions; how to understand suffering, how to think about God in moments of tragedy, and what it means for God to be present in history.”
He added: “The talk is open to everyone, people in education, academics, and members of the public. It will cover a lot of areas around Jewish history and tradition, and it will be pitched at a level which will be accessible to anybody who’d like to learn more about Jewish responses to the Holocaust.”
The talk will happen during the month-long exhibition, also at The Hive, titled Between Life and Death: Stories of Rescue during the Holocaust. The exhibition presents stories of rescue in fourteen European countries, giving voice to both rescuers and survivors, highlighting their courage, resilience, and will to live.
The exhibition opens on the afternoon of Monday 2nd February, and runs to Saturday 28th February at The Hive.
To book your free place at Dr Devine’s talk, visit The Hive’s website.
For information on courses at University of Worcester visit www.worcester.ac.uk or for application enquiries telephone 01905 855111 or email [email protected]