Site of Goliath's Home Town Unearthed...
York U. Leonard Wolinsky Lectures on Jewish Life and Education to Discuss Politics, Religion, and Archaeology in the Holy Land, Archaeological Dig At Tel Gath, Israel

TORONTO, November 24, 1999 -- The history and the archaeology of Israel are wonderfully enhanced -- and at times, complicated -- by the fact that three of the world's religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, regard it as holy, while both the Palestinians and Israelis claim it as their homeland. With this textured backdrop, archaeologists excavating a site must deal with historical reality on one hand, and faith and politics on the other.

To examine some of these conflicting realities, York University's 1999 Leonard Wolinsky Lectures on Jewish Life and Education will bring together two leading archaeology and religion experts -- Dr. Aren Maeir, Director, Tel Gath Archaeological Project and Hershel Shanks, editor of the Biblical Archaeology Review. The lectures will take place on Sunday, Nov. 28, 1:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. in the Vanier College Study Hall (Room 003) at York University, 4700 Keele St.

"Archaeological digs in areas revered and regarded as holy by Jews, Christians, and Muslims have attracted a great deal of controversy," said Prof. Michael Brown, Director of York University's Centre for Jewish Studies. "This year's Wolinsky Lectures will examine how archaeological interest can be pursued while being mindful of religious and political sensitivities."

Maeir, who teaches in the Martin (Szusz) Department of Land of Israel Studies at Bar-Ilan University in Jerusalem, will discuss "Archaeology and Religion, Partners or Antagonists? The View of a Religious Archaeologist". Maeir's lecture begins at 1:45 p.m.

Shanks, a lawyer by training and the controversial author and editor of a dozen books about archaeology, the Bible and Ancient Israel, is editor of Moment Magazine as well as the Biblical Archaeological Review, Bible Review and Archaeological Odyssey. Shanks will discuss "Archaeological Politics: From the Dead Sea Scrolls to the Biblical Minimalists." Shank's lecture begins at 3:15 p.m.

The Tel Gath Archaeological Project is a long-term investigation aimed at studying the archaeology and history of one of the most important sites in Israel. Joining Dr. Maeir this year in the direction of the project is York University Bible scholar Prof. Carl S. Ehrlich.

Tel Gath, the site of Goliath's home town, is one of the largest tels (ancient ruin mounds) in Israel and was settled almost continuously from the fifth century BC until modern times. Continuous excavations are planned for at least the next decade. Scholars will apply state-of-the-art archaeological research and provide a field school for students and volunteers from all over the world. A web site detailing the Tel Gath Archaeological Project is available at: http://faculty.biu.ac.il/maeira.

The Leonard Wolinsky Lectures on Jewish Life and Education are one of Canada's most prestigious series of university lectures in Jewish Studies. Housed at York University's Centre for Jewish Studies and endowed by the Leonard Wolinsky Foundation, the lectures are aimed at both the university community and the general public. They are sponsored by York University's Centre for Jewish Studies, the Faculty of Arts, and the Faculty of Education in cooperation with the Board of Jewish Education. The lectures are free of charge and open to the public.

WHO:
Dr. Aren Maeir, Director, Tel Gath Archaeological Project (Site of Goliath's home town) "Archaeology and Religion, Partners or Antagonists? The View of a Religious Archaeologist"

Hershel Shanks, Editor, Biblical Archaeology Review, "Archaeological Politics: From the Dead Sea Scrolls to the Biblical Minimalists"

WHAT:
York U. Leonard Wolinsky Lectures on Jewish Life and Education: Politics Religion, and Archaeology in the Holy Land

WHEN:
Sunday, Nov. 28, (Maeir's lecture will begin 1:45 p.m., Shanks' lecture will begin 3:15 p.m.)

WHERE:
Vanier College Study Hall (Room 003), Vanier College, York University, 4700 Keele St.

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For more information, please contact:

Prof. Michael Brown
Director, Centre for Jewish Studies
York University
(416) 736-5823
michaelb@yorku.ca

Ken Turriff
Media Relations Officer
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22086
kturriff@yorku.ca
YU/132/99