Woman Zion is the personification of the city of Jerusalem, appearing 30 times over 800 years in biblical and early Jewish texts. These texts feature descriptions of Woman Zion’s body that are intricate and often graphic, portraying her as a whore, a mother, a cyborg, an animal, and a prophetic intercessor. Although awakened as an art object to blame and shame the people of Jerusalem, Woman Zion’s body undergoes remarkable change, getting “out of hand” and taking on a life of her own—as all art objects do. This lecture follows Woman Zion’s body through texts and time, exploring her agency as she changes and enacts change on her literary partners. Optional texts to read in preparation for this lecture: Isaiah 1, Jeremiah 2-3, Lamentations 2, Ezekiel 16, Micah 4, 1 Baruch 4-5, Galatians 4.

Sunday, April 19 | 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
In person and simulcast