How genetics paint a picture of the Jewish past Penn In the News Forward.com How genetics paint a picture of the Jewish past Steven Weitzman of the School of Arts and Sciences commented on efforts to study Jewish genetics. While the research is “fascinating,” he acknowledges that it may make some uncomfortable. “There’s a lot of resistance to [genetic research] within the field of Jewish studies,” Weitzman said. “A lot of people remember or have in mind the role of race science in Nazism. So the idea that Jewish scholars would look in any way to genetics to understand Jewish identity or Jewish history and origins can make people concerned.” Is it a cult, or a new religious movement? Is it a cult, or a new religious movement? Many religious movements started off as fringe groups, and many modern-day cults have no religious doctrine. Why are cults and new religious movements conflated, and what makes them different? An affirmation tree grows on campus Elana Burack, left, hangs an affirmation notecard, as Julia Magidson looks on from a distance. An affirmation tree grows on campus Through a Penn Wellness and Sachs grant, Elana Burack, a senior religious studies major, is touring the ‘Affirmation Tree’ around campus, soliciting reflections from the University community at large. How Islamic feminism could shape gender equity Q&A How Islamic feminism could shape gender equity Ahead of a lecture as part of the Religion and the Global Future speaker series, Assistant Professor of South Asian Religions Megan Robb discusses Islamic feminism’s potential influence on grassroots feminist movements. Five events to watch for in February A demonstration of the lion dance, frequently part of Lunar New Year celebrations and a Chinese tradition that ushers in good luck. (Photo courtesy: International House Philadelphia) Five events to watch for in February Happening around campus and beyond this February: the annual Lunar New Year celebration at International House, a thought-provoking new speaker series on the future of religion, and an innovative story slam by nurses. The calm before the storm in the Middle East Heather Sharkey, a professor of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations. Photo courtesy of Omnia magazine. The calm before the storm in the Middle East In her new book, Heather Sharkey, a professor of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, explores Muslim, Christian, and Jewish relations in the period before World War I. Reclaiming a fragmented history Reclaiming a fragmented history Digital humanities scholars are orchestrating an epic crowdsourcing effort to sort and transcribe handwriting on thousands of documents discarded hundreds of years ago, known as the Cairo Geniza. Immersive trip exposes students to the complex narratives of Israel Immersive trip exposes students to the complex narratives of Israel 15 undergraduates took part in the inaugural Encompass fellowship, a project run by Penn Hillel, with a tour around Israel examining cultural and political sites with a focus on gaining a deeper understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Crowd-sourced map showcases campus accessibility in real time Mark Bookman and Alice McGrath are spearheading the new accessibility mapping of the Penn campus. Crowd-sourced map showcases campus accessibility in real time Mark Bookman and Alice McGrath are on a quest to map physical and social barriers across campus. The goal is a crowd-sourced platform that automatically updates to present a real-time user accessibility resource. Walking through a century of conflict in the Middle East Walking through a century of conflict in the Middle East Students of Penn Global Seminars enjoy an alternative spring break by traveling to Jordan and Israel to learn about conflict, culture and global engagement.
Is it a cult, or a new religious movement? Is it a cult, or a new religious movement? Many religious movements started off as fringe groups, and many modern-day cults have no religious doctrine. Why are cults and new religious movements conflated, and what makes them different?
An affirmation tree grows on campus Elana Burack, left, hangs an affirmation notecard, as Julia Magidson looks on from a distance. An affirmation tree grows on campus Through a Penn Wellness and Sachs grant, Elana Burack, a senior religious studies major, is touring the ‘Affirmation Tree’ around campus, soliciting reflections from the University community at large.
How Islamic feminism could shape gender equity Q&A How Islamic feminism could shape gender equity Ahead of a lecture as part of the Religion and the Global Future speaker series, Assistant Professor of South Asian Religions Megan Robb discusses Islamic feminism’s potential influence on grassroots feminist movements.
Five events to watch for in February A demonstration of the lion dance, frequently part of Lunar New Year celebrations and a Chinese tradition that ushers in good luck. (Photo courtesy: International House Philadelphia) Five events to watch for in February Happening around campus and beyond this February: the annual Lunar New Year celebration at International House, a thought-provoking new speaker series on the future of religion, and an innovative story slam by nurses.
The calm before the storm in the Middle East Heather Sharkey, a professor of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations. Photo courtesy of Omnia magazine. The calm before the storm in the Middle East In her new book, Heather Sharkey, a professor of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, explores Muslim, Christian, and Jewish relations in the period before World War I.
Reclaiming a fragmented history Reclaiming a fragmented history Digital humanities scholars are orchestrating an epic crowdsourcing effort to sort and transcribe handwriting on thousands of documents discarded hundreds of years ago, known as the Cairo Geniza.
Immersive trip exposes students to the complex narratives of Israel Immersive trip exposes students to the complex narratives of Israel 15 undergraduates took part in the inaugural Encompass fellowship, a project run by Penn Hillel, with a tour around Israel examining cultural and political sites with a focus on gaining a deeper understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Crowd-sourced map showcases campus accessibility in real time Mark Bookman and Alice McGrath are spearheading the new accessibility mapping of the Penn campus. Crowd-sourced map showcases campus accessibility in real time Mark Bookman and Alice McGrath are on a quest to map physical and social barriers across campus. The goal is a crowd-sourced platform that automatically updates to present a real-time user accessibility resource.
Walking through a century of conflict in the Middle East Walking through a century of conflict in the Middle East Students of Penn Global Seminars enjoy an alternative spring break by traveling to Jordan and Israel to learn about conflict, culture and global engagement.