Sex and the Shtetl rounds out program

U.C. Berkeley’s Joint Doctoral Program in Jewish Studies and the Graduate Theological Union will mount the 7th annual Eli Katz Memorial Yiddish Conference from Nov. 15 to 17 at various locations around Berkeley.

 “Sex and the Shtetl: Gender Roles, Erotic Practices and Marital Structures in Yiddish Culture and Ashkenazic Structure” promises a glimpse at a hidden side of Eastern European Jewish life.

Events include opening-night screenings of two 1930s Yiddish cinema classics and a keynote lecture from University of London professor Ada Rapoport-Albert. Panel discussions will look at marriage and gender identity in Ashkenazic culture, sexual traditions and sex in Yiddish poetry.

All events are open to the public. For more information, call (510) 649-2400 or visit at www.gtu.edu/cjs.