International Catacomb Society

As part of the International Catacomb Society’s on-going collaboration with the peer-reviewed web journal “Ancient Jew Review” (AJR) to highlight current research on Ancient Judaism in its Mediterranean context, this week’s “Dissertation Spotlight” is authored by International Catacomb Society Executive Director Jessica Dello Russo (the first article of the AJR/ICS series, by Catacomb Society Director…

Philo’s Mission to Rome: A Historical Archaeological View – Lecture (in English) by Annewies van den Hoek (Harvard University) and John J. Herrmann, Jr. (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston) Thursday, December 07, 2017, 6:00 pm, in the Theological Faculty of Humboldt University, Burgstr. 26, 10178 Berlin, seminar room 117  Vortrag_vdHoek_071217 (invitation pdf) Abstract: In spite of its highly rhetorical character, Philo’s…

Boston-area artist Janet Shapero is displaying recent works in her signature technique of Rete-Chrome at the Waltham Open Studios on November 4 & 5, 2017. Shapero’s studio address is 144 Moody Street, Building 4, 2d floor, Studio 1. Artist Web site: www.janetshapero.com. ICS founder, Estelle Brettman, was a friend of Shapero’s parents, and traveled with Shapero…

Rome Diary of Louise LaGorce Hickey October-November 1984 Edited by Jessica Dello Russo (2017) Preface – Louise LaGorce Hickey was a close friend of International Catacomb Society founder Estelle Shohet Brettman and served on the society’s executive board as Assistant and later Associate Executive Director until her death in 1988. She had the rare…

In 1976, the Rivista di Archeologia Cristiana published Fr. Umberto M. Fasola’s report on the excavation of two Jewish catacombs below the Villa Torlonia in Rome. The dig had been made between 1973 and 1974 at the start of Fasola’s tenure as secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology (PCAS), the Vatican entity…

On the eve of the Jewish New Year 5778 (September 20, 2017), we share an intimate reflection on the International Catacomb Society written nearly twenty years ago this holiday season by longtime society director Allen Swartz: “I am thankful that the true spirit of this Rosh Hashanah week always seems to catch up with…

A meeting of International Catacomb Society Directors, Staff, and the Advisory Board is scheduled for Saturday, September 9, 2017, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. In light of a full agenda of committee reports, there are no public talks scheduled for this event.  Please contact Society Executive Director Jessica Dello Russo with questions or…

For Immediate Release April 30, 2017 2017-2018 Shohet Scholars Awards The officers and directors of the International Catacomb Society are pleased to announce the Shohet Scholars for 2017-2018: Lindsey Mazurek (Memorial University, Newfoundland, Canada): “Mapping Religious Communities Across the Ancient Mediterranean: The Ostian Connectivity Project.” This project examines the social ties that defined religious associations at…

Excerpts from the tribute of International Catacomb Society President, Alfred Wolsky, to deceased board member John William Pye (1948-2016): “I want to offer a few words regarding John William Pye, member of the International Catacomb Society Board of Directors, who was tragically and unexpectedly taken from us in the summer of 2016. John was one…

Chag Pesach sameach to all celebrating the Passover Feast, in commemoration of the liberation of the Jews from slavery in Ancient Egypt, and their enduring covenant with G-d.   One of our favorite Passover traditions is the invitation to the the Prophet Elijah to pull up a chair, in a manner of speaking.  This…