Psychoanalysis, Judaism and Modernity - a conference podcast, Part 2 of 6

Day Conference, Sunday 3 July at the Anna Freud Centre

A day of talks and discussion exploring the links between these three great cultural phenomena, and the lessons that can be learned for the 'post-modern' age of today.

This is the second of six podcasts highlighting the talks and discussions that took place during the day conference.

Podcast 2:

Judit Szekacs and Tom Keve Golem et al

Judit Szekacs and Tom Keve's abstract: Created out of river mud by mediaeval Rabbis and mystically brought to life by them in order to serve, the Golem has metamorphosed more than once. First myth, then tradition, it became an inspiration to the arts and transmuted itself into a symbol - a metaphor for the individual’s need to control the external world, as well as for his quest for autonomy, identity and protection. It symbolises our mystical past as well our technologically dominated future. It is slave. It is protector. It is shorthand for the creative drive and for both the constructive and destructive aspects of human creation; therefore especially relevant in the 21st century.

In our presentations we will discuss historical-cultural aspects of the GOLEM (Tom Keve) and psychoanalytical-clinical dimensions of it.