Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel’s Education Committee is presenting a lecture by Professor Hillel J. Kieval on the roots of Conservative Judaism on May 11. 

Kieval is Gloria M. Goldstein Professor of Jewish History and Thought in  Washington University’s departments of history and Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Languages and Cultures.  His research focuses on transformations in Jewish culture and society in Central Europe from the Enlightenment to the Second World War, including the effects of modernization projects, ethnic and national struggles, social conflict and anti-Semitism on Jewish life and Jewish-Gentile relations.  

BSKI will start the evening with Kabbalat Panim at 5:30 p.m., an a capella Shabbat service and confirmation ceremony at 6 p.m. A dinner will take place at 7 p.m., followed by Kieval’s discussion of, “Where do we come from? The European Origins of Conservative Judaism” at 8 p.m.

The dinner costs $15 for adults and $8 for children under 10.

RSVP requested to 314-725-6230 or at www.e-bski.org.

In preparation for Kieval’s talk, Richard Gavatin of BSKI’s Adult Education Committee will discuss the topic of Kieval’s talk during Shabbat services on April 28. 

Then, at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 29, BSKI will also hold a discussion of some of the sources Kieval will utilize for his lecture in May. The discussion is free and takes place in Founder’s Hall at BSKI, 1107 E. Linden in Richmond Heights.