In January 2024, the New York Times reported on a homemade protest sign at the 2023 March for Israel in Washington, DC, that read “Bring them home” on one side and “Who’s coming home with me? #MakeJewishBabies” on the other. What is the relationship between having babies, trauma, and nationalism? How do secular Jews in the diaspora see themselves as part of a national project, and how is reproduction caught up in that project? What is the Jewish continuity paradigm, and why has it become more relevant in the aftermath of October 7? This class will consider these questions and more, looking for answers in traditional Jewish teachings, contemporary Jewish conversations, and social science research. We will pay close attention to gender dynamics in both religious text and modern Jewish life.

Rachel Florman is pursuing her MDiv at Harvard Divinity School with a focus on diasporic Jewish community formation and faith-based activism. She is also a class host and intern with the House of Learning here at Lehrhaus! When she’s not working or studying, you can find Rachel hunting down Camberville’s best gluten free desserts and volunteering with her local abortion fund.