The Arch of Titus in Rome is redolent with Jewish history. It is best known for the relief sculpture on one of its inner walls that portrays sacred objects looted from the Temple in Jerusalem—most prominently, a huge menorah. This class will consider motivations for building triumphal arches, the rituals they embody, and the Arch of Titus in detail: why it was constructed, the meaning its sculptural decorations and inscriptions were intended to convey, how that message impacted Rome’s Jewish community, and how the message has been dramatically transformed over the centuries from a symbol of defeat to a symbol of survival and victory.
Judith Testa received her PhD from the University of Chicago, in Art History. She is the author of five books, including one devoted to art in Rome. Since retiring from her position as a professor at Northern Illinois University, she has authored several hundred articles about Italy as a staff writer for Fra Noi, the monthly magazine of the greater Chicago area Italian American community.
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Beth Emet uses budgeted funds and fees to support our adult education program. This year, instead of individual registration fees for specific classes, our goal is to secure $4,000 in donations to cover our costs. Please consider an optional donation to the adult education fund when you register to help sustain our commitment to lifelong learning.
Conversational Hebrew
Introduction to Hebrew
Tikkun Middot through the Senses
