Lecture Series

Each year, Judaic Studies brings nationally and internationally-recognized leaders to Tucson to present informative public lectures that highlight the many and diverse Jewish contributions to society. It is part of our mission to promote an understanding of, interest in, and respect for Jewish history, traditions, and culture.

Please refer to the Judaic Studies calendar for the most current schedules.

The Shaol & Louis Pozez Memorial Lectureship Series is made possible by the generous support of the Pozez families and the Pozez Family Fund at the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona.

Also sponsored by The Jewish Community Center, the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona and The Marriot University Park Hotel.

the Shaol & Louis Pozez Lectureship

Sally and Ralph Duchin are well known for their deep involvement in the Tucson community and The University of Arizona. They have also become interested in the work of The Arizona Center for Judaic Studies. The Duchins enjoyed attending Judaic Studies events and wanted to find a way to support the work of the Center.

They approached Center Director Prof. Ed Wright and asked what he thought the Center needed at this time. Since the Center was already running several successful community programs, together they decided to create a campus lecture series designed primarily to reach students, faculty and staff. They said that they “would be more than happy to back such an endeavor.” They noted that they are “pleased that the University has developed a center of excellence in Judaic Studies and are proud to support the Center and ensure its success.”

According to Prof. Wright, “the purpose of the Sally and Ralph Duchin Lecture Series is to showcase the connections between Judaic Studies and virtually all other academic units on campus. Judaic Studies has something to contribute to them and vice versa.” The Center is based on its understanding of Judaic Studies as an interdisciplinary enterprise. The more it engages with other units, the more integral it becomes to the success of the University. The Duchin Campus Lecture Series is a central component of that commitment. 

The Arizona Center for Judaic Studies is pleased and proud to present The Rabbi Dr. Marcus Breger Memorial Lectureship Series in honor of this great man. His memory continues to be a blessing to all. All lectures are free and open to the public.

Rabbi Marcus Breger Memorial Lecture

The Raphael Patai Lecture is made possible by the generosity of his daughters Jennifer Schneider & Daphne Patai and by Simone Boy.

Raphael Patai Memorial Lectureship

In 2013, Betsy (z"l) and Ken Plevan graciously and generously endowed the Jeffrey Plevan Memorial Lecture in Israel Studies to honor the memory of their son Jeffrey Plevan.

Jeff graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in History and Minor in Judaic Studies and is fondly remembered by those who knew him as an infectious and upbeat person with an endless supply of curiosity, enthusiasm, passion for learning, and a profound love for Judaism, Israel, and the University of Arizona.

To remember Jeff and his contributions to Judaic Studies and the University of Arizona, the Jeffrey Plevan Memorial Lecture seeks to shed new light on topics that interested Jeff and to promote the key values that Jeff cherished.