Retirees Lunch and Learn
Karaite Jews of America - A lecture by Shawn Joe Lichaa
Title: A Matter of Opinion
Shawn Lichaa, from the Karaite Jews of America, will lead an interactive learning about the history, customs and religious perspectives of Karaite Jews. Through this session, Shawn will highlight how the different paradigms of Karaite and Rabbanite Jews lead to significant variation in religious opinion.
Today there are roughly 40,000 Karaites in the world, with major population centers in Israel and the San Francisco Bay Area. Shawn is the founder of The Karaite Press, and a blog about Karaite Judaism, A Blue Thread.
What is Karaism?
Karaism is Judaism according to the Hebrew Bible. The word Karaite means "Followers of the Bible". Karaites believe only in the authority of the Hebrew Bible and reject all later innovations such as the Rabbinic "Oral Law". Karaites believe it is the personal responsiblity of every individual to study the Hebrew Scripture and ultimately decide for themselves the correct meaning.
Karaism Today
Today there are about 40,000 Karaites with major population centers in Israel and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Shawn Lichaa is a member of Congregation B'nai Israel in Daly City, the only active Karaite synagogue in North America. He has spoken about Karaite Judaism at the Library of Congress and at schools and synagogues throughout the United States. Shawn is the founder of The Karaite Press, and a blog about Karaite Judaism, A Blue Thread.