On Sunday, April 2, Or Emet members Rich Sonenblum and Don Larsson will present a program on how the Mossad, the national intelligence agency of Israel, is depicted in popular culture, especially in fiction films and TV from the U.S., Europe and Israel. The program will run from 10 a.m.-noon at the Talmud Torah of St. Paul, 768 Hamline Ave. South in St. Paul. A social time will follow. 

Like other national intelligence agencies, Israel’s Mossad has had a controversial history that has been depicted in stories that concentrate on suspense and action as well as more complex or critical looks at how the agency’s missions have affected people’s lives, including those of Mossad agents themselves. The program will leave room for discussion and questions regarding the issues that these portrayals raise.

Sonenblum, an Or Emet member since 2004, has served on a number of different Or Emet committees. He formerly worked as a psychologist and IT project manager.

Larsson is a professor emeritus of English at Minnesota State University, Mankato, where he taught literature, film and humanities for 34 years. Since retiring, he returned to his love of acting and theater, appearing in several metro-area productions. He has also given other film-related presentations for Or Emet.

The Sunday adult programs are free and open to the public and meet concurrently with the Jewish Cultural Sunday School. All in-person attendees must wear a mask indoors and are expected to be up to date on vaccinations or have a same-day negative COVID test. Those who cannot attend in person may join over Zoom. Please register in advance here. 

Or Emet is a secular congregation celebrating and honoring Jewish culture, history and values from a humanistic, inclusive perspective. 

For information about Or Emet’s Jewish Cultural Sunday School, contact JCSS director Molly Phipps at school-1@oremet.org. For information about Or Emet, email info@oremet.org or visit oremet.org.