NYC Gazette

On June 20 and June 24, 2024, the Zahava and Moshael Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought hosted its annual summer seminars for high school students, titled "Jewish and Western Texts in Conversation." This program allows high school students to spend a day studying with the Straus Center faculty and engaging with their peers on topics at the intersection of Torah and Western thought.

This year, the men’s program was held at Lincoln Square Synagogue, while the women’s seminar took place at the Safra Center. At both events, Dr. Shaina Trapedo initiated the program by outlining the mission of the Straus Center and the Straus Scholars program. The subsequent session, led by Rabbi Dr. Dov Lerner, examined industrialization in England through perspectives from both Torah and economics. Other sessions included a discussion on Zionism and Israel’s founding led by Dr. Neil Rogachevsky, as well as a session on Shakespeare and the Hebrew Bible conducted by Dr. Shaina Trapedo.

The men’s seminar featured a tour of Congregation Shearith Israel (the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue), America’s oldest Jewish congregation. Rabbi Meir Soloveichik, Rabbi of Shearith Israel and Director of the Straus Center, guided the tour and spoke about Jewish life in America. The women’s seminar included a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art where Rabbi Soloveichik and Dr. Trapedo provided insights into American and European paintings through the lens of Torah and Western thought.

Additionally, student discussions were based around the Straus program “Two Texts, Three Questions,” encouraging lively debates on relationships between Torah and science, legislation, and literature through close readings of various texts. The seminars concluded with a dinner and panel discussion featuring past and present Straus Scholars who shared their experiences with high school participants.

For more information about the Straus Center or to learn about upcoming events or programs like these seminars, individuals are encouraged to sign up for their newsletter or follow them on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

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