A two-part course offered by B'nai Sholom Reform Congregation in Albany will look at how Second Temple Judaism gave birth both to early Christianity and rabbinic Judaism and will examine the events that ultimately led to their parting of ways.

Taught by Steven Stark-Riemer, the course will begin with the destruction of the First Temple, the re-establishment of authority, the building of the Second Temple, the coming of Hellenism and the beginnings of sectarian Judaism. It will explore the origins and development of various sects within Second Temple Judaism – Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, Dead Sea Scrolls sect, Zealot party.

Part 2, to be offered in the fall, will center on the two sects that survived the Roman conquest and the destruction of the Temple.

Steven Stark-Riemer studied anthropology at City College of New York, where he specialized in archaeology, and continues to pursue his interest in the archaeology, history and religion of the ancient Near East.

COURSE CONDUCTED BY ZOOM ONLY.