EASTON, Pa.(www.lafayette.edu), February 21, 2003 — Michael Cook, Sol and Arlene Bronstein Professor in Judaeo-Christian Studies at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, will speak on "Good Friday and the Trial of Jesus" at a brown bag noon-1 p.m. today in Interfaith Chapel, Hogg Hall.

Sponsored by the Chaplain’s Office and Hillel Society, the event is free and open to the public. Lunch may be brought or purchased for $3.

Cook will discuss Mark 14 of the New Testament and the belief that Jesus was celebrating a Seder with his disciples on the night before he was executed.

Cook studied at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, was ordained at Hebrew Union College in New York, and earned his doctorate at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati. He is possibly the only rabbi in the United States with a Ph.D. in New Testament and has extensive expertise in the field of Jewish-Christian relations. He has published numerous book chapters and journal articles.

Other scheduled Friday brown bags at Interfaith Chapel include:

• Feb. 28: "The Life of Mary McCleod Bethune," Samuel Hay, visiting professor of government and law at Lafayette


• March 7: Jane Turk, assistant professor of mathematics and computer science at LaSalle University, on “Computer Privacy and Ethics since 9/11”


• March 28: "Date Rape Drugs and Club Drugs -- The New Epidemic"


• April 4: Alternative School Break trip reports


• April 11: Helena Silverstein, associate professor of government and law at Lafayette, on “The Supreme Court and Affirmative Action in Higher Education”