Temple Emanu-El: "Esther and the Jewish Women of Carpentras under the Pope’s Rule" with Katharina Galor

From 1274 to 1789, Jews lived under the protection of the Pope in a region of southern France. For some of this time, they were restricted to residing in the “Four Communities” in Avignon, Isle-sur-Sorgue, Cavaillon, and Carpentras. Some of their homes and two of the four major synagogues have survived.

In addition to their unique architectural legacy, they left us the text of a play called "The Tragedy of the Queen Esther." Originally written in the seventeenth century by Mardochée Astruc, it was performed every year for Purim until 1790. This play, along with a number of unique artifacts, shed light on the life and position of Jewish women, in Carpentras specifically but also within the context of Jewish communities more generally.

We will discuss how women’s roles were defined by biblical traditions and Talmudic laws; how they related to contemporary French and European fashions, styles, and norms; and how they shaped Jewish women’s place at home, within their communities, and at their synagogues.

Katharina Galor is an art historian and archaeologist specializing in the visual and material culture of Israel-Palestine. She is currently the Visiting Hirschfeld Associate Professor at Brown University with a joint appointment in the Program of Judaic Studies and the Program of Urban Studies. This semester, she was the Marcus Bierich Distinguish Visitor at the American Academy in Berlin. She is currently writing "Jewish Women: Portraits of Conformity and Agency."

Zoom Meeting ID: 858 4728 5576
Zoom Passcode: Esther

More Information: www.teprov.org/institute