Groundbreakers of Jewish Thought with Peter Schattner

Groundbreakers of Jewish Thought with Associate Professor Peter Schattner

Join us for an engaging exploration of the lives and ideas of Jewish groundbreakers in the modern era. This 5-week lecture series with Peter Schattner will explore the profound contributions of thinkers who have shaped Jewish thought - philosophical, religious, and political.

While some of these figures are celebrated for their enduring influence, others, though less recognised today, have left legacies that remain remarkable. Hannah Arendt, for instance, who will be discussed within the context of totalitarianism, the Holocaust, and her pivotal role in the Eichmann trial. Other leaders of Jewish thought in the modern era include Shneur Zalman of Liadi, Joseph Soloveitchik, Emil Fackenhiem, Micah Goodman and many others..

The series will also include a comprehensive “dictionary” summarising key figures, movements, and technical terms, alongside opportunities to engage in discussions about the unresolved debates these incredible individuals initiated.

Don’t miss this thought-provoking journey into the modern Jewish intellectual tradition.

Associate Professor Peter Schattner:

Peter is the President of B’nai B’rith Victoria, a former medical practitioner and adjunct associate professor in the Department of General Practice, Monash University, where he has taught post-graduates for almost thirty years. He has also lectured in Jewish history for seven years at the University of the Third Age (U3A). Until recently, he led a Jewish non-fiction book club for twelve years and is passionate about Jewish history, culture and civilisation. Peter believes that a knowledge of Jewish heritage is one of the most effective means of maintaining Jewish identity in the diaspora.

Date and Time:

Thursdays starting 8 May 2025 | 11:30am - 1:00pm