Model or Mirror? Lessons from the “Golden Age” of Sephardic History

Presented by Dr. Jonathan Ray
Samuel Eig Professor of Jewish Studies, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, Georgetown University

Join us online for a close look at the rich and complex world of Sephardic Jewish life in medieval Spain.

The Jews of medieval Spain represent one of the most fabled societies in all of Jewish history. To this day, the outstanding philosophers, poets, and courtiers of the age – names like Maimonides, Judah Halevi, and Isaac Abravanel – remain beloved examples of Jewish cultural achievement. At the same time, the Spanish Inquisition and the summary Expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492 still rank among the most devastating events in Jewish history. But celebrating the triumphs of this society, and mourning its fate, is not the same as understanding it. The reality of daily life for Sephardic Jews was often far different, and perhaps far more familiar, than these legends would have us believe.

This talk will explore the diverse composition of Jewish communities and the ways Jews navigated their relationships with their Muslim and Christian neighbors. Together, we’ll take a fresh look at the era often called the “Golden Age” of Jewish civilization, and consider what this history might teach us about Jewish community, identity, and life today.