ARCS sponsors lecture by Dr. Zvi Keren at The Field Museum in Chicago

On Monday, September 23, Dr. Zvi Keren gave a lecture at The Field Museum entitled, “The Bulgarian Jews: A Journey Between Myth and Reality.” The lecture was sponsored by the American Research Center in Sofia and co-organized by the Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest, and The Field Museum in Chicago. Dr. Keren was born in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 1935. In December of 1945, he immigrated to Israel with his parents and became a lifelong member of Kfar Menahem, the kibbutz where he was raised. He skillfully integrates Jewish music, Biblical teachings, and historical accounts into all his lectures, teaching, and counseling endeavors. In May of 2002, Dr. Keren completed his PhD at the Tel Aviv University, with a doctoral thesis entitled, “From the Periphery of the Ottoman Empire to the Capital of the Tuna Vilayet-i.” He has also published two books: “The Jewish Community of Rusçuk,” which has been translated into both English and Bulgarian, and “The Diary of Avraham Rasanis.” In his lecture at The Field Museum, Dr. Keren discussed the history, culture, and individual stories of Bulgarian Jews across the generations, with a focus on the Ottoman period. The lecture was well attended by Bulgarian and American guests. During the presentation, Dr. Keren performed Bulgarian and Jewish music on the flute, inspiring the audience to join in with singing. The event was followed by a reception that allowed the audience members to discuss the lecture and meet Dr. Keren.