Westville University

Westville University is an educational initiative of the Westville Synagogue that offers dynamic high-level programming to the community, which reflects our commitment to Jewish learning, history, culture, law, and the State of Israel.

The Westville University program comprises 20-25 lectures each year. Invited lecturers from all over the world—often academics well known in their field—bring to our shul a direct testimony of today’s vibrant Jewish culture.

The Westville University is sponsored by the Kroopnick family in memory of Irving Kroopnick. The Irving Kroopnick Memorial Lecture is the central event of the program.

2025/6 Scheduled Sessions so far

Sep 16: Rabbi Hyman - Davening out loud on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

Oct 22: Jason Yonover - Reading Spinoza in the Ghetto

Nov 8th Movie, 7:30pm: The Dunera Boys

Nov 12: Milan Singh, Director of the Yale Youth Poll - TBA, but he will discuss the recent midterm elections (invited guest Professor Joshua Sandman, New Haven University)

Dec 6th Movie, 7:30pm: Irena’s Vow

Dec 10: Professor David Chevan, SCSU - Music in the Biblical Jewish World

Dec 31st Movie, New Year’s Eve Double Header, 7:30pm: Less than Kosher, and How about Adolph

Jan 7: Zalman Alpert - The Sephardic Torah Revolution

Jan 10th Movie, 7:30pm: Inglorious Bastards

Feb 7th Movie, 7:30pm: The Keeper

March 7th Movie, 7:30pm: Ain’t No Back to a Merry Go Round