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Andrea Lieber, associate professor of religious studies at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa., will lecture and lead a discussion in two events at Gonzaga University on Holocaust Remembrance Day, which begins the evening of April 7 and ends the evening of April 8.
Lieber will speak on and invite discussion on the topic, “What Does the Holocaust Mean to You?” — starting at 5:30 p.m., April 7 in the Foley Center Library, Teleconference Room. Her keynote lecture, “Reconfiguring Jewish Female Space in Judaism” begins at 7 p.m., April 8 in the Cataldo Hall Globe Room. Both events are free and open to the public.
“Reconfiguring Female Space in Judaism” explores the relationship between gender and spirituality. While the feminist movement long ago challenged traditional ideas about gender in American society, Judaism still wrestles with these ideas today, both in Israel and in the United States, according to Lieber. She will look at examples of contested female spaces — both real and virtual — and explore the way new and evolving ritual practices challenge the conventional boundaries between public and private spheres as women explore their spiritual identities, according to a press release.
She holds the Sophia Ava Asbell Chair of Judaic Studies at Dickinson College. Her work investigates the transformations of Judaism as a living religion and evolving culture from its origins in antiquity through its varied manifestations in the 20th century, including relations with early Christianity. Lieber is especially interested in Jewish mysticism (kabbalah), and women and gender roles in Jewish tradition. She recently published the “Essential Guide to Jewish Prayer and Practices” about Jewish spirituality and traditions.
Tracy Simmons is an award winning journalist specializing in religion reporting, digital entrepreneurship and social journalism. In her 15 years on the religion beat, Simmons has tucked a notepad in her pocket and found some of her favorite stories aboard cargo ships in New Jersey, on a police chase in Albuquerque, in dusty Texas church bell towers, on the streets of New York and in tent cities in Haiti.
Simmons has worked as a multimedia journalist for newspapers across New Mexico, Texas and Connecticut. Currently she serves as the executive director of SpokaneFAVS.com, a digital journalism start-up covering religion news and commentary in Spokane, Wash. She is also a Scholarly Assistant Professor at Washington State University.
