The University of Notre Dame’s Centre for the History of Philosophy, is launching a new academic focus on the study of Jewish philosophy. This initiative will also include a new public lecture series, the John and Anna Belfer Oration in the History of Jewish Philosophy.
Academic study
The University has appointed scholar of medieval Jewish philosophy, Dr Raphael Dascalu to lead the Jewish Philosophy initiative. It will focus on the Jewish philosophical tradition, which begins with Philo of Alexandria (born 25 BCE), runs through major medieval thinkers and continues into the present.
Associate Professor Nathan Lyons, Centre Co-Director says;
“In our current climate of social tensions and fractured relationships between Abrahamic faiths, it’s really important and timely to promote a shared understanding of the Abrahamic intellectual traditions – not only for insight into the past, but also for finding ways to live together and think together today.”
Public lecture series
To further the study of the Abrahamic Traditions the University has partnered with The Great Synagogue Sydney to establish a new public lecture series. The John and Anna Belfer Oration in the History of Jewish Philosophy, has been generously endowed by the Belanna Trust. The lectures will occur each year at The Great Synagogue, with a distinguished scholar addressing a particular theme in the history of Jewish philosophy.
The inaugural lecture will be held on 30 June 2025 and be delivered by Rabbi Dr Benjamin Elton, Chief Minister and Senior Rabbi at The Great Synagogue, Sydney. For more details on this event, please see the article in the events section of this edition of the NCCA newsletter or download the Media Release below.
Notre Dame Uni launches new academic initiative (Media release) | Friday 13 June 2025