Throughout the ages, the Book of Esther has captured the imagination of Jewish creatives grappling with questions of identity, gender, opulence, and violence. We’ll discuss two creative commentaries on this classic Purim story—Anna Solomon’s novel “The Book of V” and some selections from the Babylonian Talmud—and wonder: how might this ancient satire shed light on some of the darker corners of our own lives and culture?

This class will assume you have read "The Book of V" by Anna Solomon. No previous experience with Talmud or midrash required.

Shani Rosenbaum serves on the faculty of the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College, where she teaches rabbinic and halakhic literature. She holds a BA in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies from Brandeis University and received rabbinic ordination from Hebrew College. Shani is a core faculty member for the Mandel Foundation's Cultural Leadership Program, and has taught Talmud, Midrash in Halakha in a range of community contexts, including Mayyim Hayyim, and Hebrew College's Open Circle, and Hadar's Halakha Intensive. She has served on the programming teams of several NGOs pursuing justice through a Jewish lens, including Encounter and OLAM. On Shabbat afternoons you can find her curled up on the couch with a good novel in Somerville, MA.