Karaite, Rabbanite, or Other with Shawn Lichaa

Karaite Judaism is characterized by its adherence to the plain meaning of the Hebrew Bible, rather than its later interpretation by rabbis of the Mishnaic and Talmudic periods. Shawn Lichaa will bring examples from Karaite Jewish literature and liturgy to show how a minority Jewish movement historically dealt with external pressures while trying to preserve its unique heritage. He will also reflect on his own experience as a Karaite Jew navigating the American Jewish landscape.

Shawn Lichaa is a member of Congregation B’nai Israel in Daly City, the only Karaite synagogue in North America. He has spoken about Karaite Judaism at the Library of Congress and at schools and synagogues throughout the United States.

Program made possible, in part, by Richard Krieg, in honor of David Medlin.

Co-presented by JIMENA: Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa, Karaite Jews of America, and Lehrhaus Judaica.