King Herod designed and built the Jerusalem Temple in the late first century BCE. Herod wanted a grander complex than the one hastily constructed after the return from the Babylonian exile. His Temple lasted less than a century, as it was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. In its time, it was, and continues to be, a powerful symbol of sacred space. It has been emulated, co-opted, exploited, and reinterpreted by religious traditions, from early churches and synagogues to Orlando’s evangelical theme park. This illustrated talk will serve as a guide through the Jerusalem Temple by following in the footsteps of the High Priest and worshippers (including Jesus) and navigating the barriers of sanctity and systems of blood, purity, sacrifice, and gender.

Joan Branham is Professor of Art History and Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences at Providence College where she teaches courses in late-antique and medieval art and architectural history. She conducted her doctoral work at the Institute of Archaeology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem with an Interuniversity Fellowship for Jewish Studies, and wrote her dissertation with fellowships from the American Association of University Women, the Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture, and the Kress Foundation. Professor Branham’s
research interests include theories of sacred space, the relationship of gender, blood, and sacrifice in ancient Judaism and Christianity, the iconography of late-antique synagogues and churches, and textual and visual strategies—ancient and modern—to emulate the ancient Jerusalem Temple.

Cosponsored by the Biblical Archeology Forum and Biblical Archeology Society of Northern Virginia.

This event is free to B'nai Israel members.  No registration required.

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If you cannot attend but would be interested in viewing a recording of the presentation, BASONOVA will send an archive link to the presentation a week or two afterward, to any B'nai Israel congregant who requests it. Send the request to: info@basonova.org.