The Jewish Community Scholars Program began in 2001 in Orange County California to provide high level adult Jewish education. Technology has given CSP a global reach with partner synagogues in Israel, Europe and all of North America. As a partner synagogue, Temple Israel members have access to CJP’s vast array of live presentations from top notch scholars. CSP also has an extensive archive of past programs on You Tube.
CSP 24th Annual Scholar in Residence featuring Professor Jodi Magness
The Archaeology of the Holy Land: A Journey Through Time and Excavation
January 6 -February 28, 2025. All of our one-hour sessions in this scholar in residence will take place weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 10:00 a.m. (PT) / 1:00 p.m. (ET). Once you complete registration, you will receive a single Zoom link that can be used to access all sessions. All registrants will automatically receive the follow up emails for each of the sessions.
Click here for more information and to register.
Join Prof. Jodi Magness, a renowned archaeologist and Kenan Distinguished Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, in a fascinating lecture series exploring the rich history of the Holy Land from 586 BCE to 640 CE. This course, designed for CSP avid learners, covers pivotal events from the rise of Jerusalem under King David to the Muslim conquest, including the Hasmonean revolt, the grandeur of Herod’s palaces, and the Roman siege of Masada. Participants will gain deep insights into archaeological methods, discover significant tombs and burial practices, and explore how ancient texts shape our understanding of the past. Prof. Magness brings her extensive expertise, as demonstrated in her award-winning books and numerous excavations in Israel, to provide a comprehensive view of how ancient Jews lived, worshiped, and interacted with surrounding empires.
Session 1: Monday, Jan. 6 – Introduction to Archaeology
Session 2: Wednesday, Jan. 8 – Archaeological Methodology
Session 3: Friday, Jan. 10 – Jerusalem: Topography and Early Development
Session 4: Monday, Jan. 20 – Jerusalem in the Iron Age
Session 5: Wednesday, Jan. 22 – The Persian Period in Jerusalem
Session 6: Friday, Jan. 24 – The Early Hellenistic Period: Changes Post-Alexander the Great
* Special CSP Member Only Event: Sunday, January 26 at 10:00 a.m.(PT) /1:00 p.m. (ET) – More than Just Mosaics: The Ancient Synagogue at Huqoq in Israel’s Galilee. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
Session 7: Monday, Jan. 27 – Hellenistic Period: Wadi Daliyeh, Samaria, Jerusalem
Session 8: Wednesday, Jan. 29 – Hellenistic Period: Iraq el-Emir, Marisa, Dor
Session 9: Friday, Jan. 31 – The Late Hellenistic (Hasmonean) Period in Jerusalem
Session 10: Monday, Feb. 3 – Hasmonean Period: Jerusalem and Qumran
Session 11: Wednesday, Feb. 5 – Qumran Detailed Study
Session 12: Friday, Feb. 7 – The Early Roman (Herodian) Period: Historical Overview
Session 13: Monday, Feb. 10 – Herodian Period: Development of Jerusalem
Session 14: Wednesday, Feb. 12 – Herodian Period: Caesarea, Herodium
Session 15: Friday, Feb. 14 – Masada: Herod’s Palaces
Session 16: Monday, Feb. 17 – Masada: The Roman Siege
Session 17: Wednesday, Feb. 19 – Jewish Tombs and Burial Customs in Jerusalem
Session 18: Friday, Feb. 21 – Ossuaries and Burial Customs
Session 19: Monday, Feb. 24 – The Bar Kokhba Revolt
Session 20: Wednesday, Feb. 26 – Aelia Capitolina (Roman Jerusalem)
Session 21: Friday, Feb. 28 – The Byzantine and Early Islamic Periods
