This exhibition closed January 6, 2008.

Distinguished Lecturer Series
Ends December 10

All lectures are held in the Museum's Charmaine and Maurice Kaplan Theater
at 6:30 PM and 8 PM.

Will Call - Lecture Series Tickets are held outside the North Entrance (fig tree side) of the Museum.

Lectures subject to change.

Books are available for purchase in the Alex and Elizabeth Wise Museum Store. See lecturers' bios.

Price per lecture: Member $20; Nonmembers $25

We offer the following registration options:
ON LINE: Visit our on line ticketing system at tickets.sdnhm.org.

BY PHONE: Please call the Education Department at 619.255.0203, 8:30 AM-4 PM, Monday through Friday.

The Ever-alive Dead Sea Scrolls
Shalom Paul, Ph.D., Professor, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel; and Chairman, The Dead Sea Scrolls Foundation
Join us for a compelling introduction to the study of the Dead Sea Scrolls that highlights the significance of the scrolls for the understanding of the Bible, early Judaism, and the birth of Christianity.
Sponsored by Sid's Carpet Barn, Helene and Allan Ziman
Monday, July 9, 2007; 6:30 PM—Sold Out
Class Code: S7-350-01
OR
Monday, July 9, 2007; 8 PM—Sold Out
Class Code: S7-350-12

Jewish and Christian Origins as Revealed by the Dead Sea Scrolls
Risa Levitt Kohn, Ph.D., Director of the Jewish Studies Program at San Diego State University (SDSU) and an Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible and Judaism in SDSUs Religious Studies department
The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls revolutionized our understanding of the period of Jewish beginnings and of Christian origins and the indebtedness these groups owe to earlier Israelite traditions found in the Bible. Join us for a fascinating exploration of the treasure trove of information these texts provide about the rituals, practices and theology at the root of the Judeo-Christian world.
Sponsored by Sid's Carpet Barn, Helene and Allan Ziman
Monday, July 16, 2007; 6:30 PM—Sold Out
Class Code: S7-350-02
OR
Monday, July 16, 2007; 8 PM
Class Code: S7-350-13

Who Wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls?
Russell Fuller, Ph.D., Professor of Hebrew Bible, University of San Diego
Since the Dead Sea Scrolls first came to light in 1947 scholars have tried to discover who wrote and collected them. There are several competing theories ranging from the traditional idea that the scrolls were authored by the Essenes living in intentional isolation from mainstream Jewish society in Roman Palestine to the idea that they are simply an eclectic collection hidden from the Romans by citizens of Jerusalem. Dr. Fuller will examine these and other theories concerning who wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Sponsored by Point Loma Nazarene University
Monday, July 23, 2007; 6:30 PM—Sold Out
Class Code: S7-350-03
OR
Monday, July 23, 2007; 8 PM
Class Code: S7-350-14

The Impact of the Dead Sea Scrolls on Our Bible
Gene Ulrich, Ph.D., John A. O'Brien Professor of Theology, the University of Notre Dame
The 230 biblical scrolls from Qumran are a millennium older than previous Hebrew manuscripts. They have illumined a dark period in the history of biblical text and revolutionized our understanding of how the Scriptures grew from national and religious traditions to sacred authoritative texts. Dr. Ulrich will discuss the dynamic composition of the biblical books, the surprises offered by the biblical scrolls, and how superior readings from the scrolls are improving modern translations of the Bible.
Sponsored by Point Loma Nazarene University
Monday, July 30, 2007; 6:30 PM—Sold Out
Class Code: S7-350-04
OR
Monday, July 30, 2007; 8 PM—Sold Out
Class Code: S7-350-04

The Dead Sea Scrolls: Controversies and Theories of Early Judaism and Christianity
Eric Meyers, Ph.D., Bernice and Morton Lerner Professor of Judaic Studies and Director of the Graduate Program in Religion, Duke University, North Carolina
The discovery of the scrolls has clearly proven that the enormous library found at Qumran 60 years ago could not have been produced without the knowledge of and dependency on the Hebrew Bible. Also, the New Testament was dependent on both the canonical Hebrew Bible and some literature found at Qumran. Dr. Meyers will review this topic and suggest a better way to explore the common roots of Judaism and Christianity.
Sponsored by Union Bank of California
Monday, August 6, 2007; 6:30 PM—Sold Out
Class Code: S7-350-05
OR
Monday, August 6, 2007; 8 PM
Class Code: S7-350-14

Jesus, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Da Vinci Code
Peter Flint, Ph.D., Professor of Biblical Studies and Director, The Dead Sea Scrolls Institute, Trinity Western University, Langley, British Columbia, Canada
The Dead Sea Scrolls have transformed scholarship on the New Testament. These ancient manuscripts clearly show that many of the ideas contained in the sacred books were actually part of Judaism in the first century BCE and not added by later Christian generations to validate their faith. Biblical scholar Peter Flint will explore the philosophy of Jesus in relationship to similar concepts found in the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Sponsored by Northern Trust, NA
Monday, August 13, 2007; 6:30 PM—Sold Out
Class Code: S7-350-06
OR
Monday, August 13, 2007; 8 PM—Sold Out
Class Code: S7-350-17

Angels and Demons in the Dead Sea Scrolls
Carol Newsom, Ph.D. Professor of Hebrew Bible at the Candler School of Theology and the Graduate Division of Religion at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
The actions of a group of angelic beings are associated with an explanation for why evil entered the world and how the holy angels fought against it. This angelic speculation flourished in the community of the Dead Sea Scrolls, whose members understood themselves to enjoy fellowship with the angels. Alongside this interest in angels was a parallel interest in evil spirits or "demons." While ancient Israelites had little interest in the lore of demons, evil sprits are vividly reflected in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Explore how angels and demons were part of the religious life of the community that gave us the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Monday, August 20, 2007; 6:30 PM
Class Code: S7-350-07
OR
Monday, August 20, 2007; 8 PM
Class Code: S7-350-18

The War Scroll and Apocalypse
Martin Abegg, Ph.D., Chair of Religious Studies Department, Trinity Western University; and Co-director of the Dead Sea Scrolls Institute, Langley, British Columbia, Canada
The scroll community had their own unique understanding of the coming apocalypse. This presentation will highlight how their vision of the end influenced 1st century CE Christian thought, rabbinic musings, and our own expectations in the 21st century.
Monday, August 27, 2007; 6:30 PM
Class Code: S7-350-08
OR
Monday, August 27, 2007; 8 PM
Class Code: S7-350-19

Women in the Dead Sea Scrolls and at Qumran
Sidnie White Crawford, Ph.D., Professor of Hebrew Bible and Chair Department of Classics and Religious Studies, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
There is the evidence of women as members of or at least participating in the Essene movement in late Second Temple Judaism, as found in the Dead Sea Scrolls texts, in particular the Damascus Document. Dr. Crawford will explore the archaeological evidence, or lack of evidence, for the presence of women at the settlement at Qumran.
Monday, September 10, 2007; 6:30 PM
Class Code: S7-350-09
OR
Monday, September 10, 2007; 8 PM
Class Code: S7-350-20

The Qumran Community: The Wicked Priest and the Righteous Teacher
David Noel Freedman, Ph.D., Endowed Chair in Hebrew Biblical Studies, University of California, San Diego
Central to the story of the Dead Sea Scrolls is the eschatological conflict between good and evil: the "Sons of Light" versus the "Sons of Darkness." Many of the principal figures are shrouded in mystery, bearing descriptive titles rather than personal names. The leaders on either side are called the "Righteous Teacher" and the "Wicked Priest." But who are they as historical human beings?
Sponsored by Rancho Santa Fe Foundation
Monday, September 17, 2007; 6:30 PM—Sold Out
Class Code: S7-350-10
OR
Monday, September 17, 2007; 8 PM
Class Code: S7-350-10

Publishing the Dead Sea Scrolls
Emanuel Tov, Ph.D., J.L. Magnes Professor of Bible, Hebrew University, Jerusalem; and Editor-in-Chief, Dead Sea Scrolls Publication Project
Following their initial discovery, thousands of fragile fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls in complete disarray were handed over to scholars; some were badly damaged. In 1990, the Israel Antiquities Authority named Professor Emanuel Tov the Editor-in-Chief of the International Dead Sea Scrolls publication project. Under his leadership, the scrolls have finally been published and made available to the public and scholars, opening a new chapter in scrolls research.
Monday, September 24, 2007; 6:30 PM
Class Code: S7-350-11
OR
Monday, September 24, 2007; 8 PM
Class Code: S7-350-22

Manuscripts from the Ancient Near East in the National Library of Russia
Olga Vasilyeva, Ph.D., Curator of Oriental Manuscripts, Russian National Library, St. Petersburg, Russia
The National Library of Russia houses 27,000 Oriental manuscripts: most belong to the collection of Abraham Firkovich, a Karaite Jew and book-collector who bought them in 1863 from the Karaite-Jewish community in Old Cairo. The Firkovich collection contains many fragments of Hebrew manuscripts which are over 1000 years old. Dr.Vasilyeva will discuss some of the important manuscripts in this collection, including the oldest complete manuscript of the Hebrew Bible and the pages from the Russian National Library on display in Dead Sea Scrolls.
Sponsored by Union Bank of California
Monday, October 1, 2007; 6:30 PM
Class Code: F7-350-01
OR
Monday, October 1, 2007; 8 PM
Class Code: F7-350-12

The Modern History and Importance of the Dead Sea Psalms Scroll
James Sanders, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of the Claremont School of Theology, Claremont, California; and Founder of the Ancient Biblical Manuscript Center
Qumran Cave 11, the last cave discovered, produced a number of surprises that have caused review of some of the earlier "assured results" of scientific biblical study. Review the drama of discovery and unrolling of the Psalms Scroll and then take a look at what the Dead Sea Scrolls in general have done to change our understanding of some of the basics of biblical studies. Dr. Sanders was the first scholar to unroll and study the Psalms Scroll in the 1960s.
Sponsored by University of San Diego
Monday, October 8, 2007; 6:30 PM—Sold Out
Class Code: F7-350-02
OR
Monday, October 8, 2007; 8 PM—Sold Out
Class Code: F7-350-13

Israel at the Time of the Dead Sea Scrolls
Lawrence Schiffman, Ph.D., Edelman Professor of Hebrew and Judaic Studies and Chair of the Skirball Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies, New York University
The Second Temple period was a momentous era in ancient Israel, beginning with the conquest by Alexander the Great that expanded the rise of Hellenism and the great Jewish religious movements. Dr. Schiffman will survey these developments and their significance in providing background for the Dead Sea Scrolls, and explain how the scrolls have enriched the understanding of the history of this period.
Sponsored by Point Loma Nazarene University
Monday, October 15, 2007; 6:30 PM—Sold Out
Class Code: F7-350-03
OR
Monday, October 15, 2007; 8 PM
Class Code: F7-350-14

Messianic Expectation in the Dead Sea Scrolls
John Collins, Ph.D., Holmes Professor of Old Testament Criticism and Interpretation, Yale University
The Dead Sea Scrolls provide the main evidence for renewed messianic expectation in the last century before the Common Era. The sectarians expected both a "messiah of Israel," presumably the Davidic king who would drive out the Gentiles, and a "messiah of Aaron" who would serve as High Priest in the messianic age. A number of messianic texts are of special interest because of parallels in the New Testament.
Monday, October 29, 2007; 6:30 PM—Sold Out
Class Code: F7-350-05
OR
Monday, October 29, 2007; 8 PM
Class Code: F7-350-16

The Community of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the First Christians
James VanderKam, Ph.D., John A. O'Brien Professor of Hebrew Scriptures, Department of Theology, University of Notre Dame
The Dead Sea Scrolls provide a unique insight into the people who used the site of Qumran for communal purposes such as meals, work and meeting. Join Dr. VanderKam as he explores the written descriptions of the community, its way of life and its philosophy. This information will then be compared with accounts of the earliest followers of Jesus in the Book of Acts, highlighting similarities and differences.
Sponsored by Ron and Maureen McMahon
Monday, November 5, 2007; 6:30 PM
Class Code: F7-350-06
OR
Monday, November 5, 2007; 8 PM
Class Code: F7-350-17

Mystery and Mysticism at Qumran
Esther Chazon, Ph.D., Director of the Orion Center for the Study of the Dead Sea Scrolls and Associated Literature, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
The Qumran community, the holy congregation of elect "Sons of Light," held that God revealed the deeper, hidden meaning of the Torah and Prophets to its teachers and members through a process of divinely inspired exegesis. The Qumran community's transcendent experience and intricate knowledge of the heavenly realm uncover an early link in the chain of tradition that developed into classical Jewish mysticism and Kabbalah.
Sponsored by Jewish Studies Program, San Diego State University
Monday, November 12, 2007; 6:30 PM
Class Code: F7-350-07
OR
Monday, November 12, 2007; 8 PM
Class Code: F7-350-18

The Archaeology of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls
Jodi Magness, Ph.D., Kenan Distinguished Professor for Teaching Excellence in Early Judaism, Department of Religious Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
In 1947, a Bedouin boy discovered the first Dead Sea Scrolls in a cave by Qumran. Eventually over 900 scrolls were found in 11 caves around Qumran. These scrolls represent a library of religious literature that belonged to the inhabitants of Qumran in the 1st century BCE and 1st century CE. In Dr. Magness' slide-illustrated lecture, we will review the archaeology of Qumran, incorporating information that the scrolls provide about the beliefs and practices of the sect.
Sponsored by Friedman Charitable Foundation
Monday, November 19, 2007; 6:30 PM
Class Code: F7-350-08
OR
Monday, November 19, 2007; 8 PM
Class Code: F7-350-19

Qumran: The View from Jerusalem
David Goodblatt, Ph.D., Endowed Chair in Judaic Studies, University of California, San Diego
Scholarship on the Dead Sea Scrolls has understandably placed Qumran at the center of its attention. However, how would residents of Jerusalem, the capital city of Second Temple Judah, have viewed the few dozen residents of Qumran and their literary production? By looking at the periphery from the point of view of the center, we gain a new perspective on Qumran.
Sponsored by Don and Judy Oliphant
Monday, November 26, 2007; 6:30 PM
Class Code: F7-350-09
OR
Monday, November 26, 2007; 8 PM
Class Code: F7-350-20

Bringing the Dead Sea Scrolls Back to Life
Bruce Zuckerman, Ph.D., Director, West Semitic Research Project and Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible, School of Religion, University of Southern California
Dr. Zuckerman has specialized in documenting inscriptions from the biblical world, including the Dead Sea Scrolls, using the highest quality photographic and digital technologies. Learn how advances in digital technologies and imaging help scholars decipher the Dead Sea Scrolls and read what was previously unreadable. In a visually-rich presentation, discover imaging techniques used in the study of ancient inscriptions.
Sponsored by USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences and Sally and Howard Oxley
New Date: Thursday, November 29, 2007; 6:30 PM
Class Code: F7-350-04
OR
New Date: Thursday, November 29, 2007; 8 PM
Class Code: F7-350-15
The USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences invites you to join fellow San Diego Trojans for Complimentary dessert and coffee following Dr. Zuckermans 8:00 pm lecture in the Museum Atrium.

Interpreting the "Word of God" in the Dead Sea Scrolls
William Schniedewind, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures and Professor of Biblical Studies and Northwest Semitic Languages, University of California, Los Angeles
What was the "Word of God" according to the Dead Sea Scrolls? How does it relate to the Bible that Jews and Christians use today? How do the Scrolls interpret Scripture? This lecture explores the authority, limits, and expansion of the Bible at Qumran.
Sponsored by Point Loma Nazarene University
Monday, December 3, 2007; 6:30 PM—Sold Out
Class Code: F7-350-10
OR
Monday, December 3, 2007; 8 PM—Sold Out
Class Code: F7-350-21

Archaeological Explorations and the Dead Sea Scrolls: The Cave of the Treasure and Early Religion in Israel
Thomas Levy, Ph.D., Norma Kershaw Endowed Chair in the Archaeology of Ancient Israel and Neighboring Lands and Professor of Anthropology and Judaic Studies, University of California, San Diego
During the 1960s, Israeli archaeologists were determined to discover more Dead Sea Scrolls. Major archaeological surveys were mounted by researchers. It was during one of these surveys that the famous "Cave of the Treasure" was discovered-perhaps the richest ancient copper hoard to have ever been found in the Middle East. The hoard was dated to the Chalcolithic period, more than 4000 years earlier than the Dead Sea Scrolls. Examine the significance of this discovery in relation to the major changes in society and religion that emerged in southern Israel at this time.
Sponsored by University of California, San Diego
Monday, December 10, 2007; 6:30 PM—Sold Out
Class Code: F7-350-11
OR
Monday, December 10, 2007; 8 PM
Class Code: F7-350-22

Member $20 per lecture; Nonmembers $25 per lecture
Complete lecture series: Member $330; Nonmembers $396

We offer the following registration options:
ON LINE: Visit our on line ticketing system at tickets.sdnhm.org.

BY PHONE: Please call the Education Department at 619.255.0203, 8:30 AM-4 PM, Monday through Friday.

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