The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute will present "To Be a Jew in the Free World: Jewish Identity Through the Lens of Modern History," the institute’s new six-session course that will begin during the first week of February.

Rabbi Mendel Ceitlin of Chabad Jewish Center will conduct the six course sessions at 7:30 p.m. on six Wednesday evening beginning Feb. 5 at Chabad Jewish Center, 4141 West Esplanade in Metairie.

Participants will confront questions of allegiance and issues in which Judaism and contemporary society appear to be in conflict. The course will explore case studies, such as arguments made in the 1650s to convince Oliver Cromwell to readmit Jews to England, and how Ulysses S. Grant’s 1862 expulsion of the Jews became a defining issue in his presidential election.

The course is designed to appeal to people at all levels of Jewish knowledge, including those without any prior experience or background in Jewish learning. All courses are open to the public, and attendees need not be affiliated with a particular synagogue, temple or other house of worship.

Call 347.351.6476 or visit www.JewishLouisiana.com/JLI for registration and other course-related information.