February 8, 2026
2 – 6PM EST
This half-day symposium brings together scholars to celebrate the achievements of Marc Brettler in the
field of Hebrew Bible, Jewish Studies, public education, and interreligious engagement.
SCHEDULE
2:00PM: Introduction and welcome
Kata Gellen, Associate Professor of German, Director, Duke Center for Jewish Studies
Location: Westbrook 0014 Duke Divinity School
2:15PM – 4:00PM: Panel: “Academic Scholarship and Jewish Life”
Introduction of panel: Anathea Portier-Young, Associate Professor of Old Testament at Duke University Divinity School
Panelists:
Benjamin Sommer, Professor of Bible and Ancient Semitic Languages at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America
Dr. Rabbi David Starr, Congregation Mishkan Tefila, Founder of Me’ah Adult Education Program
Rabbi David Steinberg, co-founder and director of the Academic Torah Institute and TheTorah.com
Tova Hartman, Dean of Humanities, Ono Academic College
Discussion among panelists followed by Q&A
4:00 – 4:30PM Break
4:30PM - 6:15PM: Panel: “Popularizing Religious Scholarship”
Introduction of panel: Jennifer Knust, Chair and Professor of Religious Studies, Duke University
Panelists:
Ellen Davis, Amos Ragan Kearns Professor of Bible and Practical Theology, Duke University Divinity School
Mark Chancy, Professor of Religious Studies, Southern Methodist University
Pete Enns, Abram S. Clemens Professor of Biblical Studies, Eastern University
Amy-Jill Levine, Rabbi Stanley M. Kessler Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace; University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies Emerita, Vanderbilt University
Discussion among panelists followed by Q&A
6:15PM: Concluding Remarks
6:30PM Reception & Dinner
Location: York Room, Gray Building
Tributes offered by:
Baruch Schwartz, JL Magnes Emeritus Associate Professor of Bible, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Mark Smith, Helena Professor of Old Testament Literature and Exegesis, Princeton Theological Seminar
Susie Tanchel, Vice President, Hebrew College
Joanna Homrighausen, Lecturer for Judaic Studies and Religious Studies, College of William & Mary
Leela Prasad, St. Purandar Das Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies, Brown University
Open Mic for audience tributes