First century historian Josephus tells an intriguing story about Queen Helena of Adiabene, a convert to Judaism, who fed people in Jerusalem’s famine, built a palace and a monumental tomb in which she is buried. It was visited by Christian pilgrims and her contributions to the temple were remembered by rabbis. She became the star of an anti-Christian polemic according to one set of Jewish traditions.

You are invited to join us as Prof. Sarit Kattan Gribetz describes the centuries-long fascination with Queen Helena and her significance to Jewish and Christian communities both in antiquity and today.

Sarit Kattan Gribetz is Associate Professor of Classical Judaism in the Theology Department at Fordham University. Her first book, Time and Difference in Rabbinic Judaism, received a National Jewish Book Award in Scholarship. She is now working on a book titled Jerusalem: A Feminist History.

Program:
Welcome: A. Gabriel Esteban, President, DePaul University

Introductions of Lecture Series and Speakers: Steve Stoute, JD, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and Chief of Staff, DePaul University

Opening Remarks: Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago

2022 Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Jerusalem Lecture: Dr. Sarit Kattan Gribetz, Associate Professor of Theology, Fordham University

Moderated Q&A: Sr. Barbara Reid, OP, President, Catholic Theological Union