Dr. David Berger, Ruth and I. Lewis Gordon professor of Jewish History and dean of the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies, spoke on May 2 at a colloquium titled “Jesus and Judaism” hosted by the department of theology of the University of Notre Dame. Berger discussed the topic of Jewish understandings of Jesus in later periods of history.

“I was honored to be included in this event,” said Berger, “since my own area of expertise is Jewish-Christian relations, and I have written in various contexts about how Jews have seen Jesus. Some of the issues I addressed in my presentation were did Jews see Jesus as an observant Jew or a violator of the Torah? As a monotheist or as an idolater? As a representative of a Jewish ethic or an ethical innovator? As I told my audience, depending on time and place, the answer is ‘all of the above.’”