Michael Hoberman examines how the Jewish experiences of the American Revolution, slaveholding in the early republic and antebellum period, and westward migration have been imagined, commemorated, and frequently mythologized. Focusing on how historical relationships between Jews and Native Americans and Jews and Blacks are interpreted in light of current political developments, he suggests that the stories Americans tell about early American Jews help to shape their views about the racial and cultural complexities of the American present. He analyzes current-day popular representations of Jewish history in the United States, including historical novels and the curation of early synagogues and house museums. Finally, he introduces several current-day descendants of early American Jews whose genealogical backgrounds inform their sense of identity. Timely and original, Imagining Early American Jews shows how non-specialists’ interpretations and representations of the past are key to understanding Jewish American history and identity. Doors will open for brunch at 9:00 AM.

Israel has a thriving jazz scene today, but the story of how jazz arrived and took root there is far less known. Dr. Leonard Stein traces that history, exploring how the reception of American music in Israel was shaped by the country's shifting demographics before and after 1948 — including successive waves of immigration from Eastern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East — as well as by the broader nationalist project of forging a distinctly Israeli cultural identity. 

At the center of Stein's talk are two Jewish American musicians who immigrated to Israel shortly after statehood and dedicated their lives to teaching and spreading jazz throughout the country — through radio broadcasts, lectures, jam sessions, performances, and writing. At a time when American records were scarce, their efforts were foundational in cultivating the first generation of Israeli jazz musicians and listeners. 

Central to this work was the task of explaining where jazz comes from. In doing so, many Israelis encountered, for the first time, the African American experience, the musical roots of blues and spirituals, and the cultural history of the American South. Dr. Stein's talk ultimately illuminates a surprising and resonant bridge between Southern culture and Israeli society — one built through music.  Doors open for brunch at 9:00 AM. 

Dr. Maurice Samuels will discuss his acclaimed biography "Alfred Dreyfus: The Man at the Center of the Affair," which draws on a vast family archive to offer a nuanced portrait of Dreyfus's life, his resistance to a devastating false accusation, and his distinctive model of Jewish identity. Samuels argues that the Dreyfus Affair remains a powerful cautionary tale — and a guide — for confronting antisemitism and right-wing nationalism in contemporary liberal democracies.  Joining Samuels in conversation will be Judge Richard Gergel, who will bring a legal historian's perspective to the discussion. Together, they will explore the Dreyfus Affair alongside the Leo Frank case — the 1913 murder of Mary Phagan in Atlanta, Georgia, the wrongful conviction of Leo Frank, and his subsequent lynching — examining how law, bias, and public pressure shaped the outcomes of both trials and what these cases continue to reveal about justice, prejudice, and democracy.  Hybrid event. In-person brunch meets at Arnold Hall, 96 Wentworth Street, Charleston, SC 29424 Sponsors: Pearlstine/Lipov Center for Southern Jewish Culture; Jewish Historical Society of South Carolina