Virtual: Exploring a 3D Model of the Ancient Beth Alpha Synagogue

Join the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies on February 10 at 5:30 p.m. as they step into the ancient world and explore a 3D model of the Late Roman synagogue of Beth Alpha. Participants will have the option of creating an avatar to join in the virtual synagogue or they can watch the talk through Zoom. During the conversation, Brad Erikson, who has his doctorate in Religious Studies, will describe how digital tools are changing the study of ancient Judaism; give a tour of the Beth Alpha synagogue; and analyze the personifications of the seasons, zodiac, and the sun god Helios that all appear in the synagogue. This will be an interactive talk, and while not required, participants are encouraged to explore the 3D model and ask questions.

Brad Erickson completed his doctoral studies in May, where he concentrated in the field of ancient Mediterranean religions. In his dissertation, Erickson analyzed the material and textual evidence of the ways ancient Jews experienced the night sky, specifically the appearance of the Helios-Zodiac cycle in the ancient synagogue. He was awarded the Center’s Goodman Dissertation Fellowship in 2018-2019. He is an area supervisor at the Huqoq Excavation Project in the Galilee of Israel, which is an archaeological excavation led by Jodi Magness. He also works as a supervisor and technology specialist at the ‘Ayn Gharandal Archaeological Project in Jordan. He earned his doctorate and a graduate certificate in Jewish Studies, in spring 2020.

Register on Eventbrite and receive the Zoom link via email a few days prior to the event. If you don’t have an email with Zoom instructions by 4:00 p.m. on February 10, please check your junk/spam folder. If you still don’t have an email from Eventbrite, please contact us at jewishstudies@unc.edu. This event features a 20-minute talk followed by a question/answer session.