Temple Concord, in conjunction with the Port Jewish Center, will offer the local community a series of first Thursday learning events beginning in January. The first event will be “A Conversation with Professor Ken Wald, author of ‘Foundations of American Jewish Liberalism,’” on Thursday, January 7, at noon. 

Kenneth D. Wald is distinguished professor emeritus of political science and the Samuel Shorstein professor emeritus of American Jewish culture and society at the University of Florida. His other works include “Religion and Politics in the United States” and “The Politics of Cultural Differences: Social Change and Voter Mobilization Strategies in the Post-New Deal Period.”

The publisher describes his new work by saying, “Kenneth D. Wald traces the development of this culture by examining the controversies and threats that stimulated political participation by American Jews. Wald shows that the American political environment, permeated by classic liberal values, produced a Jewish community that differs politically from non-Jews who resemble Jews socially and from Jewish communities abroad. Drawing on survey data and extensive archival research, the book examines the ups and downs of Jewish attachment to liberalism and the Democratic Party, and the tensions between two distinct strains of liberalism.” 

Registration is required to attend and can be made at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcvduCspz4tHtD1_YmwB4SEfLlKGkmxrtLe. An e-mail with the link will be send before the event.