2018-2019 Syllabus
Theme
Genesis 19 tells the story of Lot’s Wife who turns to see the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and becomes a pillar of salt. Did she act in disobedience or out of compassion? What is our responsibility to bear witness? Is looking back redemptive or paralyzing? Might we see contemporary events (mass tragedies, refugees) in the light of this text? These are just a few of the questions we will explore as we examine Genesis 19 through religion, art, poetry, and music.
Faculty
Julia Muney Moore, Director of Public Art for the Arts Council of Indianapolis
Sandy Sasso, Rabbi Emerita of Congregation Beth-El Zedeck
Steven Stolen, Host of WFYI's Stolen Moments
Shari Wagner, Author and Indiana Poet Laureate (2016-2017)
Joseph Tucker Edmonds, Assistant Professor of Africana Studies and Religious Studies at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Interpretations of Genesis 18-19 with a focus on Lot’s wife
Readings:
Weems, Renita J. Just a Sister Away: A Womanist Vision of Women’s Relationships in the Bible. San Diego: Publishing/Editing Network, 1988.
Gafney, Wilda C. Womanist Midrash: A Reintroduction to the Women of the Torah and the Throne. Westminster: John Knox Press, 2017.
Sasso, Sandy Eisenberg. Midrash: Reading the Bible with Question Marks. Reprint edition. Paraclete Press, 2013.
Ostriker, Alicia. "White Fire: The Art of Writing Midrash." Reform Judaism Magazine 58 (1999).
Genesis 18-19. Selections on Lot’s Wife (prepared by Sandy E. Sasso)
27 September 2018
Presenters: Sandy Sasso and Joseph Tucker Edmonds
Lot’s Wife in Music
Readings
Curtiz, Michael. “Sodom & Gomorrah.”Austria, 1922.
Watson, James. Lot in Sodom. Rochester, NY, 1933.
Pinkins, Tonya. Lot’s Wife (Original Version). New York, NY, 2004.
Pet Shop Boys. The Sodom And Gomorrah Show.Sarn West Studios.London, 2006.
K-Bach."Sodom and Gomorrah". Bible Stories. Mind Muzic Records, 2014.
11 October 2018
Presenter: Steven Stolen
18 October 2018
Presenter: Shari Wagner
Lot’s Wife Through Visual Art
Readings:
Rhodes, Jesse. “Mark Kurlansky on the Cultural Importance of Salt.” Smithsonian, May 17, 2012.
Blasone, Pino. “‘Don’t Look Back’ (or, ‘Remember Lot’s Wife’),” August 1, 2015.
Matthews, Christopher Lee.“Salt: Metaphysical History & Meaning - Enter the Earth.” Metaphysical Corner (blog), April 21, 2014.
1 November 2018
Presenter: Julia Muney Moore
6 December 2018
Open Discussions
17 January 2019
Artist Presentations
7 February 2019
Artist Presentations
7 March 2019
Exhibition and Performances
Jewish Community Center of Indianapolis, 6701 Hoover Road, Indianapolis, IN 46260
5:30 pm reception; 6:30 pm performance
Art exhibit will run for two months, opening on March 7 with the exhibit and performances.
3 April 2019
Maya Beiser in Concert and Conversation
Performance and Discussion
Jewish Community Center of Indianapolis, 6701 Hoover Road, Indianapolis, IN 46260
7 - 8:30 pm
Critically acclaimed cellist, Maya Beiser, will discuss and perform excerpts from her cello-opera, Elsewhere, an imaginative and psychological retelling of the biblical story of Lot's wife. Offered in partnership with The Judaism, Arts, Interfaith and Civic Engagement Fund of Congregation Beth-El Zedeck, the Center for Interfaith Cooperation, Indiana Humanities, and the Jewish Community Center of Indianapolis.