American Jews are people of the book...and the film. Across the 20th century, popular culture has played an important role in American Jewish life, as cultural conversations about American Jewish identity developed on screen and in print.
One of the most memorable and impactful of these conversations was brought to us by Leon Uris and Paul Newman. Exodus, the epic tale of the founding of the state of Israel, offered a vision of Zionism that resonated with American viewers. This talk examines the popularity of Exodus as a book and a film, and explores its effects on American Jewish identity and American Zionism.
Lecturer: Professor Joellyn Zollman
Joellyn Zollman holds a Ph.D. in Jewish history from Brandeis University. She has worked with the Jewish material culture collections at the Smithsonian Institution, the Skirball Museum, and The American Jewish Historical Society. Locally, she has taught classes on Jewish history, American religion, and religious art and architecture at San Diego State University, UCSD, and the Center for Jewish Culture.
Admission/Cost: FREE (
Wednesday, May 18 - 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
For more information, please call (858) 362-1154
One of the most memorable and impactful of these conversations was brought to us by Leon Uris and Paul Newman. Exodus, the epic tale of the founding of the state of Israel, offered a vision of Zionism that resonated with American viewers. This talk examines the popularity of Exodus as a book and a film, and explores its effects on American Jewish identity and American Zionism.
Lecturer: Professor Joellyn Zollman
Joellyn Zollman holds a Ph.D. in Jewish history from Brandeis University. She has worked with the Jewish material culture collections at the Smithsonian Institution, the Skirball Museum, and The American Jewish Historical Society. Locally, she has taught classes on Jewish history, American religion, and religious art and architecture at San Diego State University, UCSD, and the Center for Jewish Culture.
Admission/Cost: FREE (
Wednesday, May 18 - 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
For more information, please call (858) 362-1154
