Afternoon of Persian Jewish Culture Event is a Success 10/8/00
The Judaic Studies Program held its academic year kickoff event on Sunday, September 24. An Afternoon of Persian Jewish Culture honored Dr. Vera Basch Moreen on the publication of her new book, In Queen Esther's Garden: An Anthology of Judeo-Persian Literature (Yale University Press, 2000). The event included readings and a book signing by Dr. Moreen, Persian Jewish music by Hazzan Howard Dardashti and a reception following. The event was attended by over one hundred people from within Drexel and the Philadelphia area.
Dr. Moreen gave some history of her academic research and read selections from two of the epic poems she has translated in her book; both revealed the imagination and vivid emotion contained in these ancient writings. Dr. Moreen has taught Jewish and Islamic subjects at several colleges and universities and currently teaches at Swarthmore College.Hazzan Dardashti, accompanying himself on guitar, sang songs from a rarely heard Persian Jewish musical tradition, some of which had folk motifs and others which were religious in nature. Hazzan Dardashti is cantor at Temple Beth Sholom in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
Much interest was generated in the Judaic Studies Program and we look forward to welcoming the many new faces there to our forthcoming events.