Chai-er Learning: U of Toronto at BT Speaker Series
Our 2026-2027 Chai-er Learning lecture series is a collaboration between Beth Tzedec Congregation and University of Toronto’s Anne Tanenbaum Centre for Jewish Studies. We are honoured to showcase expert scholars in the humanities and social sciences, whose research, publishing and teaching explore complexities and challenges of the Jewish experience yesterday and today.
In this session, we welcome Dr. Robert Brym, professor of sociology and S.D. Clark Chair in Sociology at the University of Toronto, for a presentation and discussion on “Why They Hate Us”.
Watch for registration information coming soon.
UPCOMING SESSIONS
April 7 Dr. Allan Verskin—Maimonides and the Identity Crisis of a Jew by Choice
May 5 Dr. Ron Levi—Varieties of Antisemitism, and Varieties of Anti-Antisemitism
Presented in partnership by
Beth Tzedec Congregation and University of Toronto’s Anne Tanenbaum Centre for Jewish Studies
Robert Brym is a professor of sociology and S.D. Clark Chair in Sociology at the University of Toronto. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, a member of the President’s Teaching Academy, and a winner of the Northrop Frye Prize for academic and teaching excellence.
His introductory-level textbooks have been published in Canada, Quebec (in French), the United States, Brazil (in Portuguese) and Australia. He has conducted research on the sociology of intellectuals, social movements in Canada, Jews in Russia, and collective and state violence in Israel and Palestine.
Currently, his research involves the comparative study of Jewish communities worldwide.
