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THE JEWS OF PROVENCE
A Stronghold of Jewish Culture, Mysticism and Philosophy
October 4-11, 2010

    Led by Professors Yom Tov Assis and Shalom Sabar
  The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Photographer: Debbie Zuberi	Photographer:Debbie Zuberi

Photographer: Debbie Zuberi	Photographer:Debbie Zuberi

The beginnings of Provençal Jewry go back to antiquity when Jews settled in the first province conquered by Rome outside Italy. The Jews of Provence belonged to the communities that were in the sphere of influence of the Center in Israel. They maintained their original Jewish culture between the two major centers of Jewish life in the Middle Ages: Sepharad and Ashkenaz. While Provence was the birth place of Kabbalah, it also developed into a center of the Serphardi type of Jewish culture, combining Jewish studies, Hebrew language and Jewish philosophy with sciences and medicine. In Provence the different trends met and clashed and a series of controversies tore apart the Jews. The seminar will examine the characteristics of a unique Jewish culture that came to an abrupt end and for centuries was almost totally unknown in the Jewish world. The concluding session will refer to the Popes' Jews who remained until the French Revolution in an inland enclosure as the only Jewish remnants in Western Europe after a long series of expulsions.

 

Monday Oct 4	Arrival to Marseille. Transfer to Montpellier, the capital of the Languedoc-Roussillon region and well known for its university. Late afternoon orientation in the hotel. MONTPELLIER
Tuesday Oct 5	Orientation Lecture: Medieval Provence and the Beginnings of Provençal Jewry, Y. Assis Lecture: The Image of the Jews and Judaism in Christian Art of the Middle Ages, S. Sabar Tour Montpellier with its old city and stone arches. Visit the Jewish Quarter, medieval mikve and the Faculty of Medicine. Afternoon visit of St. Guilhem Le Desert, one of the prettiest villages in Languedoc. MONTPELLIER
Wednesday Oct 6	Lecture: Jewish Life in Medieval Provence, Y. Assis Lecture: Hebrew Manuscript Illumination in Medieval Provence and its Relationship to the Oriental and Sephardic Schools, S. Sabar Tour the Jewish Quarter in Béziers, the wine capital of Lanquedoc. Travel to Narbonne to visit the Jewish Quarter and continue to Pézenas, situated on the River Peyne and well-known for its artisans. MONTPELLIER
Thursday Oct 7	Lecture: Jewish Mysticism in Provence, Y. Assis Lecture: The Beginnings of Hebrew Printing and Printed Books of Provence S. Sabar Travel to Nîmes which has the greatest wealth of ancient buildings in France and is known for its important textile industry. Visit the synagogue. Continue to Avignon, known as the European city of culture with its beautiful architecture and artistic heritage. Visit the Papal Archives. AVIGNON
Friday Oct 8	Lecture: Sephardi Culture in Provence, Y. Assis Travel to Arles, made famous by painters Van Gogh and Gauguin. Visit the Roman amphitheater, Les Arènes and the Arletan Museum. Continue to the picturesque village of Les-Baux-de-Provence. Shabbat services in the synagogue. Kosher dinner in the Jewish Community Center AVIGNON
Saturday Oct 9	Shabbat services in the synagogue. Kosher lunch in the Jewish Community Center. Afternoon walking tour to view the famous Pont d'Avignon. Visit the Palais des Papes, built during the 14th century. AVIGNON
Sunday Oct 10	Lecture: Mystics, Philosophers and Halakhists in Controversies, Y.Assis Lecture: Jewish Ceremonies and Rituals in Provence from the Middle Ages to the Baroque Era, S. Sabar Visit the oldest synagogue in France that is still in use and situated in the charming town of Carpentras. Continue to Cavaillon where we visit its old synagogue and the Jewish Museum. Depart for Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, a compact medieval town built on the islands of five branches of the Sorgue River. Specially prepared farewell dinner. Return to Avignon. AVIGNON
Monday Oct 11	Lecture: The Last Phase of Jewish Art in Provence: Hebrew Manuscripts of the XVIIth and XVIIIth Centuries, S.Sabar Lecture: The End of Provençal Jewry or the Survival of the Popes' Jews, Y. Assis Travel to Aix-en-Provence, one of France's most charming cities. Continue to the Marseille airport for a departure flight.

PROGRAM SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Lecturers:
Prof. Yom Tov Assis, Dept. of the History of the Jewish People
                                      The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Prof. Shalom Sabar, Depts. of Jewish and Comparative Folklore and Art
                                      The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Organizers of the Seminar:
Prof. Yom Tov Assis and Debbie Zuberi

CONDITIONS

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