Please join us for a dinner-and-learn session on “Religious Zionism and its Challenges and Challengers” on Tuesday, May 26 at 7:00 p.m. at Friends Meeting of Washington (2111 Decatur Pl NW). Our text-based learning session will be led by David Kraemer, Joseph J. and Dora Abbell Librarian and Professor of Talmud and Rabbinics at Jewish Theological Seminary. Together, we will explore the different meanings of “Zion” over the centuries, Jewish responses to diaspora, and to what extent Zionism is the natural outcome of Jewish ideology and history.

We will have a meat meal with a vegetarian option. Dinner is FREE for members and $15 for non-members. All attendees must register by Wednesday, May 20.

Dr. Kraemer’s focus as a professor is on the literary analysis of rabbinic literature, rabbinic ritual, the social and religious history of Jews in late antiquity, and Jewish diaspora ideologies. He is a prolific author and commentator, whose most recent book, Embracing Exile: The Case for Jewish Diaspora (Oxford University Press, 2025), was named one of “The Best Books of 2025” by The New Yorker. Email Matthew Mayers at mayers.matthew@gmail.com with any questions.

Accommodations: None

Organization: DC Minyan

Livestream or Virtual: No, it’s not