USU Museum of Anthropology Presents 'A Jewish Life'

Utah State University professor and folklore expert Steve Siporin is the next guest at Museum of Anthropology’s Saturdays at the Museum series in a 1 p.m. lecture that is free and open to all.

In addition to his extensive research on the folklore of the West, Siporin has studied the dynamics of Jewish life in Italy.

“I learned that there was — and is — a small Jewish community in Italy and that is has been there continually for more than 2,000 years, making it the oldest Jewish community in Europe,” Siporin said. “So I was excited to combine my interests in Jewish folklore and Italian folklore into one hybrid community with its own particular identity, combining the remarkably beautiful and expressive traditions of Italians and Jews.”

During his lecture, Siporin will read and comment on excerpts from Memories of a Jewish Life, a book written by Augusto Serge, an Italian Jew. In the book, Serge discusses his life as a Jew living during the time of Fascism in Italy, as well as his experiences in World War II and his later migration to the city of Jerusalem.

In addition to the lecture, the Museum of Anthropology will celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim, a feast that celebrates the heroic story of Queen Ester and the survival of the Jewish people. Throughout the day the museum will serve hamantaschen — a traditional pastry served on the holiday. Along with children’s crafts, there will be re-tellings of the Ester story.

The museum will be open for its normal operating hours Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The USU Museum of Anthropology is on the USU campus in the south turret of the historic Old Main building, Room 252.

In addition to its Saturday program hours, the Museum of Anthropology is open to USU students and members of the public six days a week, with regular hours Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. For Saturday activities, free parking is available in the adjacent lot, south of the building.

Funding for Saturday events is provided by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services. More information about the IMLS is available online.

For more information about this event, call museum staff at (435) 797-7545 or visit the museum website (anthromuseum.usu.edu).

The Museum of Anthropology is part of the Anthropology Program at USU.

Related links:

• USU Anthropology Program 
• USU Department of Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology
• USU College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Source: Museum of Anthropology

Contact: USU Museum of Anthropology, (435) 797-7545, anthro.museum@usu.edu