Are the Dead Sea Scrolls the most important archaeological discovery of the 20th Century? A course from B’nai Sholom Reform Congregation in Albany will answer that question and more with an in-depth look at the Dead Sea Scrolls, their meaning, and their impact.

“The Archaeology and Meaning of the Dead Sea Scrolls” will be taught over eight Tuesday evenings beginning March 2, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. via Zoom.

Translations of the texts that are included in the Scrolls continue to be published more than 60 years after their discovery in the remote caves of Qumran. They represent the oldest biblical texts known to exist.

The course will address the discovery and publication of the Scrolls; the “Judaisms” or sects of the Second Temple Period; the founding and later development of the Qumran sect; the archaeology of the settlement at Qumran and nearby caves; the character of the Qumran community; women in the Dead Sea Scrolls; the theology and beliefs of the sect; and “messianism” in the Scrolls and its influence on Judaism and Christianity.

Steven Stark-Riemer, the course instructor,  has taught about the scientific study of the biblical world since 2007. He studied anthropology at City College of New York, where he specialized in archaeology, and received his degree in 1972.

He did field work at the Tel Gezer excavations in Israel under the direction of William G. Dever, director of the Hebrew Union College Biblical and Archaeological School at the time.

The course is open to the public; registration required. The cost is $54 ($35 for B’nai Sholom members). The Zoom link will be emailed to all registrants.

For more information, visit www.bnaisholomalbany.org or contact the B’nai Sholom office: 518-482-5283 or office@bnaisholom.albany.ny.us.