MONDAY, OCTOBER 22nd, 2007, 8:30 p.m.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 29th, 2007, 8:30 p.m.

Barry Serota, a practicing attorney, is also known internationally for his work in Jewish music. As a pre-eminent producer of Jewish music sound recordings, he has been associated with many of the Jewish musical greats of the past century. He brings to their story and the story of the growth of Jewish song an intimacy and poignancy to which all audiences relate. Serota’s vast knowledge of Jewish music and his unique presentation, enriched with warm and humorous anecdotes, combines aspects of raconteur and historian.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5th, 2007, 8:30 p.m.

Amb. Haqqani is an Associate Professor and current Director of the Center for International Relations at Boston University. He has enjoyed a varied range of experiences as a journalist, diplomat and advisor to three Pakistani Prime Ministers. In 2002 he was a Visiting Scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, D.C. and an adjunct professor at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University. Born in Karachi, Pakistan, Amb. Haqqani acquired traditional Islamic learning as well as a modern education in International Relations. He was a correspondent for “The Islamic World Review” during the turbulent years following the Iranian revolution. He also covered the war in Afghanistan which resulted in his profound understanding of militant Islamist Jihad groups. He has contributed to numerous international publications, is a prolific author and a frequent commentator on BBC, C-Span, CNN and ABC on Islamic politics.

Rabbi Green, one of the foremost authorities on Jewish mysticism, is Rector of the Rabbinical School and Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Hebrew College in Boston. After interviewing Dr. Green, Deborah Sosin wrote, “What is most striking about Arthur Green is not his warm, unpretentious demeanor or his incisive intellect; it is the cadence of his rich, bass voice. Whether reflecting on his childhood, his theology or his role as Dean, he speaks rhythmically, almost chanting, as if “davening,” fully present, animated, yet seemingly attuned to something outside himself as well. ”Dr. Green is both a historian of Jewish religion and a theologian. He has taught at the University of Pennsylvania, at Brandeis University and at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College where he served as both Dean and President. He is a leading independent figure in the Jewish renewal movement.

Dr. Soltes is Professorial Lecturer in Theology and Fine Arts at Georgetown University, as well as a frequent lecturer in the National Programs of the Smithsonian Institution. He is the former Director of the B’nai Brith National Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. where he curated over 80 exhibitions. Prof. Soltes was educated and received degrees in Classics and Philosophy from Haverford College, Princeton University, Johns Hopkins University and Union Institute University. He has a working knowledge of some two dozen languages and has lectured or taught throughout the United States and Europe. He is also a prolific author. His book, “Our Sacred Signs: How Jewish, Christian and Muslim Art Draws from the Same Source,” is a breathtaking and revelatory journey through human history, its gods and its art, and shows how art has long been used as an instrument to take us where words cannot follow.