The majority of Jews have lived in exile from the time of the Babylonian Exile in the early sixth century BCE until the present day, and though exile has often been accompanied by difficulties, it has also provided Jews with peace in homes where they had the opportunity to flourish. By virtue of this reality, Jews have often defended and even lauded their diaspora experiences, in teachings and expressions that in recent generations have been too little recognized. In this session, Prof. Kraemer will introduce you to some of these teachings, asking what they may mean for the future of Jewish identity. David Kraemer is Joseph J. and Dora Abbell Librarian at The Jewish Theological Seminary, where he has also served as Professor of Talmud and Rabbinics for many years.