EAU CLAIRE -- The 23rd annual Biblical Seminar titled "Women and the Sacred Feminine in Ancient Israel" will begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, in Schofield Auditorium and at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, in room 101 of Hibbard Hall at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

"From the Curse of Eve to the Triumph of Judith: The Social Status of Women in Israel" will be the Friday lecture. A broad range of data including domestic architecture, burial practices and textual evidence will be used to discuss the roles of women in ancient times.

"Yahweh and Asherah: Transformation of Divine Imagery" will address the concept of goddess worship, images of birthing and nurturing in association with the Israelite goddess, Yahweh.

Both lectures will be hosted by Dr. Corrine L. Patton, assistant professor of theology at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. She is a published author on the topic of women in ancient Israel and teaches courses that draw on current feminist perspectives of the role of women in the ancient society.

The programs are free and open to the public.

The seminar is sponsored in part by the Wisconsin Humanities Council on behalf of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

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Updated: Oct. 28, 1997