UNCA's Center for Jewish Studies to Host Talk
with Rodger Kamenetz

Rodger Kamenetz

UNC Asheville will host a talk by acclaimed Jewish author Rodger Kamenetz at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 18, in UNCA's Reuter Center. The event is free and open to the public.

Kamenetz, a professor of English and religious studies at Louisiana State University, is internationally known for his work on Jewish-Buddhist dialogue. He is the author of several books including "The Jew in the Lotus." This is a groundbreaking account of his experience as an American Jew invited to Dharamsala by the Dalai Lama to discuss how the Jewish experience of spiritual survival in exile might be helpful to Tibetans.

Kamenetz' most recent book, "The Lowercase Jew," is a set of poems described by P. David Hornik of the "Jerusalem Post" as "stunningly powerful." Kamenetz was awarded the National Jewish Book Award in 1997 for "Stalking Elijah: Adventures with Today's Jewish Mystical Masters," and his articles and essays have appeared in "The New York Times Magazine," "Moment" and "Reform Judaism."

A documentary featuring Kamenetz is currently on release from P.B.S. The film was inspired by his books "The Jew in the Lotus" and "Stalking Elijah."

The talk is presented by UNCA's Center for Jewish Studies and co-sponsored by UNCA's Religious Studies Program, the N.C. Center for Creative Retirement, and UNCA's Cultural and Special Events Committee.

For more information, call Rick Chess, director of UNCA's Center for Jewish Studies, at 828/251-6576.

Media Contacts:

• Dr. Rick Chess, UNCA Center for Jewish Studies Director, 828/251-6576
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526