As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, Rabbi Meir Soloveichik examines key moments in the nation’s history—from the revolutionary era to World War II—through a set of iconic images that have shaped the American imagination. Through paintings and symbols both familiar and forgotten, Rabbi Soloveichik explores how Americans have understood themselves, and how visual culture has transmitted that understanding across generations.

In moments of triumph, tension, and transformation, “Images of America” reveals how art both reflects real life and articulates high ideals. Focusing on paintings like John Trumbull’s “Declaration of Independence” and Norman Rockwell’s “Four Freedoms,” Rabbi Soloveichik illuminates how theology, ethics, and political reflection converge in these snapshots of history. Ultimately, this course invites you to see not only what America has been, but what it might yet become.

Rabbi Soloveichik explores the history and hidden depths of Jewish ritual through the extraordinary art of Moritz Daniel Oppenheim. Oppenheim brought Jewish ritual to life as no other modern artist has. In this course, Rabbi Soloveichik will study his paintings to uncover the spiritual meaning, historical context, and enduring relevance of the Jewish practices and people he depicts.

In his teaching and writing, Rabbi Soloveichik frequently draws on the full range of popular culture, including enduring television shows and films. He does this both because of his great love for humor and dramatic storytelling, and because of his belief that stories depicted on screen can provide powerful examples of faith, leadership, perseverance, and more.