The 1960s saw a quantum leap in the status of Jews in American life, mediated in large part by the treatment of Jewish celebrities by Jews and gentiles alike. As comedian Lenny Bruce put it, it was suddenly “in” to be Jewish. Celebrities like Lenny Bruce, Sandy Koufax, Bob Dylan, Barbra Streisand and their contemporaries were significantly more transformative than their predecessors. What was it about the 60s that allowed this to happen? 

Dr. David E. Kaufman is a scholar and teacher of American Jewish history and a lifelong Jewish educator.  A born and bred New Yorker, he spent a decade living in southern California while serving on the faculty of the Hebrew Union College in LA.  In addition to many articles, he is the author of two books: Shul with a Pool: The ‘Synagogue-Center’ in American Jewish History (UPNE/Brandeis, 1999) and Jewhooing the Sixties: American Celebrity and Jewish Identity [Sandy Koufax, Lenny Bruce, Bob Dylan, and Barbra Streisand] (UPNE/Brandeis, 2012).  David is currently building an online resource center entitled: “NEW YORK JEW: Center for New York Jewish History, Culture, and Community.”

There is no fee, but please RSVP for planning purposes. This event is held virtually on Zoom. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event. For more information, contact Program Director Ilene Tatro at itatro@cbisd.org.

CSP Partners: Beth Israel (San Diego, CA), Brotherhood Synagogue (Gramercy Park, NYC), Congregation Beth Shalom (Seattle, WA), Congregation B’nai Tzedek (Fountain Valley, CA), Congregation B’nai Israel (Tustin, CA), Jewish Collaborative of Orange County, CA, Shomrei Torah Synagogue (San Fernando Valley, CA), Temple Bat Yahm (Newport Beach, CA), Temple Beth El of South Orange County (Aliso Viejo, CA), Temple Beth Emet (Anaheim, CA), Temple Beth Ohr (La Mirada, CA), Temple Beth Tikvah (Fullerton, CA), Temple Beth Shalom (Needham, MA), Temple Beth Sholom (Santa Ana, CA), Temple Emanuel (Newton, MA), Town & Village Synagogue (NYC, NY), University Synagogue (Irvine, CA), Valley Beth Shalom (Encino, CA) & Walnut Street Synagogue (Chelsea, MA)