Pennsylvania Western University’s “Uncomfortable Conversations” series continues at 7 p.m. on Oct. 24 with a presentation by rabbi, scholar and interfaith activist Dr. Rachel Mikva.

Her talk, “Jewish Pride: Reexamining the Tradition on Gender and Sexuality,” will address religious notions about proper sexual behavior and gender identity and the intersection of religion and politics.

Cosponsored by the Jewish Community Council of Erie and PennWest’s Office of the Provost; Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; LGBTQIA+ Commission and the LGBTQIA+ Fund, the discussion will be held in the Dr. William P. Alexander Music Center – Recital Hall on the Edinboro campus.

Dr. Mikva serves as the Herman E. Schaalman professor of Jewish Studies and a senior faculty fellow of the Interreligious Institute at Chicago Theological Seminary. With a passion for justice and academic expertise in the history of scriptural interpretation, her courses and publications address a range of Jewish and comparative studies, with a special interest in the intersections of sacred texts, culture and ethics.

Launched at the Edinboro campus during the 2017-2018 academic year, “Uncomfortable Conversations” was developed as a series to engage in meaningful, civil discourse on timely, often sensitive issues that are shaping the national dialogue.

The series is free and open to the public.