In this workshop, we address challenges to Jewish ideals of family and fertility. What happens when the command to be “fruitful and multiply” cannot be fulfilled? We will discuss topics such as infertility, surrogacy, and adoption in Jewish texts. Feminist and queer readings help us question assumptions, surface tensions, and explore how Jewish tradition already contains narratives that resist or complicate reproductive norms.  This session is part of the three-part series “Family, Reproduction and Belonging” – participants are encouraged but not obliged to attend more than one session.

Orlando (any pronoun) is a former Kollelnik with an academic background in Jewish Studies and Queer and Gender Studies. His research and teaching bring Jewish sources and queer theory into a two-way dialogue, allowing each to illuminate and challenge the other. He loves coffee, learning new instruments, and knitting.

PS: if you have any question please write an email to rogowski@hilleldeutschland.org