What do we know about the archaeology of the religion of ancient Israel, and how do we know it? A course at B’nai Sholom Reform Congregation in Albany will provide many of the answers.

“The Archaeology of the Religion of Ancient Israel” will be taught over seven Wednesdays beginning Sept. 11, from 10 to 11:45 a.m. at the synagogue at 420 Whitehall Road, Albany.

This class will begin with a history of the search for ancient Israel’s religion. Previous approaches to this subject have paid insufficient attention to the archaeological data, which is substantial, according to a release from B’nai Sholom.

Among the topics covered by the succeeding sessions are: Canaanite religion before the emergence of ancient Israel; the distinction between “book religion” and “folk religion”; sacred space in ancient Israel; the cult of Asherah in ancient Israel; death in the life of ancient Israel; and the transition from polytheism to monotheism. The timeframe of this course concludes with the Babylonian Conquest in 586 B.C.E.

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. Stark-Riemer continues to pursue his interest in the archaeology, history, and religion of the ancient Near East.

“The Archaeology of the Religion of Ancient Israel” is open to the public. Fee for the seven-session course is $54 ($36 for B’nai Sholom members), and registration is required.

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