Judaica: Concepts, Collecting, and Connoisseurship

Judaica, or Jewish Ceremonial Art, refers to objects used in Jewish rituals in synagogues and homes. This seminar will provide an introduction to Judaica, including an overview of the typology and taxonomy of such objects, examining their ritual use, physical and stylistic characteristics, symbolism, key approaches, period and geographic varieties, range of materials, and conversions from non- Jewish items. A key part of the course will be onsite seminars and handling sessions at synagogues, museums, rare book libraries, and private collections for close-up analysis of original artifacts. Through these, students will engage in connoisseurship for analysis and attribution, awareness of authenticity, considerations of provenance, and evolving patterns of collecting—including the recent surge of interest by American museums. This course will include works in a range of media (silver and metalwork, textiles, ceramics, glass, and works on paper and parchment) and from across the globe, from the medieval period through the 21st century. In complement, students will study primary and secondary texts to consider issues and ideas relating to Judaica, including aesthetics, visuality and textuality in Judaism; aniconism and iconoclasm; tolerance and prejudice; nationalism, transnationalism, diaspora; physicality and spirituality; and minority and majority cultures. The course is designed for all students; no previous knowledge of Judaism is required, since students will be introduced to the basics of beliefs and ceremonial practices to understand these objects and their use in synagogues and homes. Students will be encouraged to pursue research projects relating to their own areas of interest in terms of time periods, regions, media, or concepts, and students with stronger familiarity with Jewish practice or with specific languages will be encouraged to explore related topics in greater depth. Requirements include one short report, a presentation, and a final research paper of approximately 3,000 words. 3 credits. May satisfy the chronological or geo-cultural requirement, depending on final project. MDP