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Rastafari and Judaism w/Andrea Shankman

 



Rastafari and Judaism

with Andrea Shankman, PhD

Sundays: Nov 3 & 10, 1:00-2:15 pm
Temple Beth Israel

 TBI Members: $18
Non-members: $25


When I was a graduate student, many years ago, at the University of California at Berkeley, I frequently attended Reggae concerts. There, I noticed, with much curiosity, that the largely Black audience wore Stars of David around their necks. This sparked my lifetime study of Rastafari and Judaism. 

In our two sessions I'll talk briefly about the history of Rastafari, and how many of its basic tenets are grounded in Judaism. I'll also discuss aspects of Reggae music and Rastafarian iconography influenced by Judaism. Finally, we will discuss an incredibly fascinating topic, the concepts of Babylon and Zion in Rastafari and Judaism.

Attendees should familiarize themselves with Psalm 137. In conjunction, listen to the Melodians, Rivers of Babylon on YouTube. Finally, listen on YouTube to vintage Matisyahu, Rastaman Chant/One Day. Rastaman Chant was performed and arranged (and most likely written) by Bob Marley, the voice and prophet of Rastafari (One Day is by Matisyahu). Listen, in particular, to Matisyahu's otherworldly pronouncement of Zion in the Rastaman Chant. Listen also to Bob Marley's Rastaman Chant on YouTube. I once heard Matisyahu say that everything he knew about Zion was from Bob Marley!!

 
 
Tue, October 15 2024 13 Tishrei 5785