Lyons Lectures in Judaic Studies
The lectures honor Harry Lyons, DDS (DDS 1923, School of Dentistry), z”l, former dean of the VCU School of Dentistry. Lyons Lectures are open to the public, and aim to broaden public understanding of Jewish history, religion, culture, and philosophy.
The lecture is supported through an endowment gifted to VCU by Dr. Lyons himself.
For over thirty years, the Lyons Lectures were offered annually by Rabbi Jack Spiro, z”l, the inaugural holder of the Lyons Chair.
Since Fall 2024, the Lyons Lectures have been held each semester, bringing renowned scholars and intellectual leaders to VCU and the greater Richmond community.
Upcoming Lectures
Fall Series: Pathbreaking Scholars of Jewish Studies
On October 14, 2024 Jodi Magness, Kenan Distinguished Professor for Teaching Excellence in Early Judaism in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, will present “Herodian Jerusalem: The Archeology of the Holy City in the Time of Jesus and the Second Temple” at Congregation Beth Ahabah. Free and open to the public.
Spring Series: Leading Voices in American Judaism
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Rabbanit Leah Sarna, pioneering teacher and thinker in feminist Orthodoxy, will be the inaugural speaker at our annual spring series “Leading Voices in American Judaism.”
Fall 2025
J. H. Chajes, Ph.D. will be speaking on kabbalah and Jewish mysticism, framed around his magisterial book "The Kabbalistic Tree."
Spring 2026
Rabbi Shai Held, Ph.D. will be speaking about his groundbreaking work of Jewish theology Judaism is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life.