Temple Beth Israel of Pomona will welcome Dr. Sarah Benor, associate professor of contemporary Jewish studies at Hebrew Union College—Jewish Institute of Religion, Los Angeles, as the featured speaker of the Brenda Rosenfeld Scholars Series on Friday, November 8.

Ms. Benor will share her expertise in the areas of language and culture in her talk, “Do American Jews Speak a ‘Jewish English,’” providing the congregation with a fascinating look at the social science of American Jews.

The evening begins with a delicious dinner from Brent’s Deli with Ms. Benor at 5:45 p.m. ($30 per person). Prior reservation is required for dinner. Ms. Benor’s presentation is part of the Erev Shabbat service beginning at 7:30 p.m., followed by a dessert reception.

Ms. Benor is a sociolinguist and lectures widely about the social science of American Jews, Jewish languages and Orthodox Jews. She is also an award winning author. Her books include Becoming Frum: How Newcomers Learn the Language and Culture of Orthodox Judaism and We the Resilient: Wisdom for America from Women Born Before Suffrage, co-edited with Tom Fields-Meyer.

Ms. Benor attended Columbia University, where she studied comparative literature, minoring in linguistics. She received her PhD from Stanford, where she was a Wexner Graduate Fellow. 

Ms. Rosenfeld, a 40-year member of TBI, was a founding member of the Temple’s Social Action Committee, chaired numerous Temple adult education events, and served on the city’s human relations council. The scholars series serves to affirm Ms. Rosenfeld’s values and to memorialize her tireless commitment to Jewish life, learning and healing the world.

Contact TBI at (909) 626-1277 for dinner reservations and further information.