Comparative Indigeneity: Hindus and Jews

Comparative studies allow us to explore what is both familiar and foreign, to deepen understanding of our own and others’ traditions by studying their similarities and differences. Juxtaposing Hindu and Jewish indigeneity reveals two civilizations whose beliefs and practices emerge from sacred geography, peoplehood, and sovereignty. Examining their parallels and distinctions illuminates questions of identity, belonging, and diaspora, showing how ancient beginnings remain central to current concerns. For instance, this framework implicitly refutes the settler colonial state libel that targets Jews. Additionally, by foregrounding two non-colonial traditions with enduring relationships to their ancestral homelands, this approach deconstructs the modern Protestant-centric category of “religion.”

Session 1: The Study of “Religion”

This class introduces the academic study of religion and explains the layout of the course: At the 2nd class we study Hinduism, and at the 3rd class we study Judaism. The 4th class focuses on similarities and differences between these non-colonial indigenous traditions and then analyzes them in conjunction with non-indigenous world religions. Key concepts explored include ancestral homeland, sacred geography, peoplehood, diaspora, modern nation-states, land partition, challenges to sovereignty, and the antizionist settler colonial state libel and how to counter it.Recommended

Session 2: Hinduism

This class explores Hinduism, tracing its historical development from ancient Bharata to the modern nation-state of India, which gained independence from British colonial rule in 1947. By foregrounding indigeneity,  the class reframes “religion” to deepen understanding of Hinduism. 

Session 3: Judaism

This class explores Judaism, tracing its historical development from ancient Israel & Judea to the modern nation-state of Israel, which gained independence from British colonial rule in 1948. By foregrounding indigeneity, the class reframes “religion” to deepen understanding of Judaism.

Session 4: Comparative Indigeneity

Having studied Bharata/India/Hinduism and Israel/Judea/Judaism separately, in this class we explore their similarities and differences. We then study look at them alongside non-indigenous world religions. Finally, we review the modern Protestant centric category of “religion,” identify implications of using that framework, and discuss language to counter the antizionist settler colonial state libel that targets Jews.

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