We would like to thank everyone who attended this year’s Padnos Public Engagement Lecture on Jewish Learning. The lecture and discussion between Dr. Deborah Forger, 2026-27 Frankel Institute Fellow (University of Michigan), and Dr. Jeremiah Cataldo, Professor (Grand Valley State University), and facilitated by Frankel Center's Director, Maya Barzilai, explored themes covered in Forger's forthcoming book, Divine Embodiment in Jewish and Christian Antiquity. We especially want to thank Peg and Jeff Padnos, and the rest of the Padnos family, for their continued support of public Jewish scholarship in Michigan!
This event, established by a gift from the Stuart and Barbara Padnos Foundation, facilitates annual public educational activities in Jewish Studies throughout the State of Michigan with a focus on the western part of the state. The lecture is planned in collaboration with the GVSU Kaufman Institute and takes place on Grand Rapids on Grand Valley State University's campus. Each event is followed by a dessert reception where attendees have the opportunity to engage with the speakers.
