What’s coming up in June?
What’s coming up in June?
As summer begins, and we start our 26th fiscal year, June at CSP is filled with fresh ideas, fascinating conversations, and the launch of a new year of learning together.
For those who have renewed their membership, this month features a special new members series, Exile: The Secret of Jewish Survival, with Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller, an exploration of one of the defining themes of Jewish history and resilience. We continue our exploration of “Holy Loopholes” with Prof. Marc Michael Epstein’s thought-provoking look at how Jews have creatively navigated Jewish law throughout history. Gila Levitan, everyone’s favorite tour guide, is returning with two more installments of From Sand to Skyline, uncovering the stories, architecture, and personalities that shaped modern Tel Aviv.
We are especially proud this month to highlight powerful programs centered on women’s voices and experiences. Dr. Melissa R. Klapper introduces us to Jewish Life in the Confederate South The Diary of Emma Mordecai. Aaron Henne and Erith Jaffe-Berg explore Jewish dramatic traditions in In Defense of Women, while Dr. Tamar Ketko shares the untold stories of Jewish women in wartime. Compelling conversations continue with Rabbi Elie Spitz and journalist Ari Goldman who examine the evolving relationship between media, Israel, and the Jewish community.
With history, culture, ethics, storytelling, urban exploration, and contemporary dialogue, June promises something for everyone. We look forward to learning together for another year with CSP.
Member series
Exile: The Secret of Jewish Survival with Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller
Tuesdays June 2, 9 & 16, 2026
10:00-11:00 AM PDT /1:00-2:00 PM EDT / 20:00-21:00 Israel time
Is exile Judaism’s greatest challenge — or one of its greatest strengths? In this thought-provoking three-part series, we explore how exile shaped Jewish survival, creativity, and spiritual resilience, transforming Judaism from a land-centered tradition into a portable civilization of text, time, and learning. Drawing on Biblical, Rabbinic, Hasidic, and modern thinkers, the series reframes exile not as a temporary tragedy, but as a defining force in Jewish history and consciousness.
Jewish Life in the Confederate South, The Diary of Emma Mordecai with Dr Melissa R Klapper
Thursday June 18, 2026
12:30-13:30PM PDT /3:30-4:30 PM EDT /22:30-23:30 Israel time
Emma Mordecai was a deeply complex figure, a committed Jew, passionate Confederate nationalist, and slaveowner whose wartime diary reveals the moral ambiguities of Jewish life in the Civil War South. This conversation explores the complicated realities of identity, loyalty, and history through The Civil War Diary of Emma Mordecai. Join Dr. Melissa R. Klapper for a fascinating discussion of the book she completed following the passing of its original co-author, Dr. Dianne Ashton.
Jews & the News: Media, Israel & the Jewish Community – Rabbi Elie Spitz in Conversation with Ari Goldman
Tuesday June 23, 2026
10:00-11:00 AM PST/1:00-2:00 PM EST/20:00-21:00 Israel time
At a time of growing mistrust in media and rapid technological change, veteran New York Times religion correspondent Ari L. Goldman reflects on the challenges of practicing honest journalism in reporting on religion, Israel, and the Jewish community. In conversation with Rabbi Elie Kaplan Spitz, Goldman explores questions of credibility, bias, moral responsibility, and how journalists can build trust in an increasingly polarized world. This timely discussion offers a thoughtful look at the intersection of media, faith, and public life.
In Defense of Women, A Jewish Dramatist’s Perspective Aaron Henne in conversation with Prof Erith Jaffe-Berg
Thursday June 25, 2026
10:00-11:00 AM PDT /1:00-2:00 PM EDT /20:00-21:00 Israel time
Written in 16th-century Italy by Jewish dramatist Leone De’ Sommi Portaleone, In Defense of Women offers a fascinating window into gender, performance, and power during a transformative moment in European theatre. In this engaging conversation, Dr. Erith Jaffe-Berg and theatre dybbuk artistic director Aaron Henne explore the work’s historical context, the evolving role of women on stage, and the author’s unique place in Jewish and Italian society. The discussion also examines the text’s enduring relevance to contemporary conversations about equity, representation, and belonging.
Beyond the Uniform, The Untold Stories of Jewish Women in Wartime with Dr Tamar Ketko
Tuesday June 30, 2026
10:00-11:00 AM PDT /1:00-2:00 PM EDT /20:00-21:00 Israel time
Join Dr. Tamar Ketko for a compelling exploration of the often-overlooked experiences of Jewish women during World War II. Through personal stories and rich documentary, visual, and archival sources, the program examines the roles women played in armies, resistance movements, and underground networks across multiple wartime fronts. The discussion also highlights the complex experiences of volunteers from the Jewish Yishuv who served in the British Army, offering powerful insights into courage, identity, and moral choice in times of crisis.