Public Lectures

Registration is now open for the annual HESED Lecture Series at Austin Seminary, scheduled for February 27 -28! Enjoy two action-packed days of inspiration and fellowship through powerful preaching, social justice lectures, and workshops and networking opportunities with community justice organizations!

We’re especially excited to hear from keynote speaker Dr. Daniel Bannoura, guest lecturer Dr. Karma Chávez, and preacher/workshop leader Rev. Dr. Dominique Robinson, among others.

Registration is free & lunch is included! Learn more at www.austinseminary.edu/hesed!

This year’s theme for HESED is “Through the Desert, We are One: Reclaiming Human Dignity and Sacred Truth.” Drawing from Hagar’s journey, from bondage to freedom, we walk through desolation and hopelessness and see the parallels in our world today. We see our human story. Patterns of empire, systemic injustice, greed and humans treated as commodities, in competition to survive. We draw strength from Hagar’s courage and faith in the desert. We follow her path out of the desert, holding God’s sacred truth as our north star. Through workshops on migration with dignity, policy justice, and uplift of stories, we hope to equip the community for advocacy and action.

Sponsored by the LatinX and African and African Diaspora Student Groups. HESED is funded in part by the K.C. Ptomey, Jr. Memorial Fund

• Lecture & Luncheon: Thursday, March 26, 12 p.m. - 1p.m., McMillan Building, Room 210 
• Panel Discussion: Friday, March 27, 12 p.m. - 1p.m., McMillan Building, Room 210

In Safety Through Solidarity: A Radical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism, two activist journalists present a progressive, intersectional approach to the vital question: What can we do about antisemitism?

Antisemitism is on the rise today. From synagogue shootings by white nationalists, to right-wing politicians and media figures pushing George Soros conspiracy theories, it’s clear that exclusionary nationalist movements are growing. By spreading division and fear, they put Jews, along with other marginalized groups and multiracial democracy itself, at risk.

And since the outbreak of war in Gaza, debates around antisemitism have become more polarized and high-stakes than ever. How can we stand in solidarity with Palestinians seeking justice, while also avoiding antisemitism — and resisting those who seek to conflate the two? How do we forge the coalitions across communities that we need, in order to overcome the politics of division and fear?

Come discuss what it means to fight antisemitism with solidarity, not fear; with coalition, not division.

Join us on Wednesday, March 25th at 7:00PM in Wright Hall for an engaging conversation with the authors of Safety Through Solidarity: A Radical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism about this groundbreaking book. Light refreshments will be provided and the event will be livestreamed.

Register today at bit.ly/STSBookTalk!

About the Authors

Ben Lorber works as senior research analyst at the social justice think tank Political Research Associates, researching antisemitism and white Christian nationalism. His writing has appeared in The Nation, The Hill, Jewish Currents and more. He is currently working on a book on Christian Zionism. 

Shane Burley is a journalist based in Portland, Oregon. He is the author, editor, and co-author of four books, and his next book, How to Start a Revolution, will be released by Haymarket Books and In These Times Media in 2027. His work is featured in places such as NBC News, The Daily Beast, Al Jazeera, Jewish Currents, Truthout, Yes! Magazine and the Oregon Historical Quarterly. You can find him on Instagram @shaneburley and on X @shane_burley1. 

This event is funded by the Henderson Global Mission Fund.