Atlantis Researcher Dr. Richard Freund to Speak at Beth El Temple

The man now referred to as Connecticut's own "Indiana Jones," Dr. Richard Freund, will discuss his research and his book "Finding Atlantis and Tarshish" during a community-wide program at on Sunday, May 22.

Freund, who is director of the Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies at the , has earned an international following for his work connecting the to Spain and the Straits of Gibraltar. His work earned him a role in the National Geographic Channel Film entitled "Finding Atlantis," which premiered on March 13, 2011.

Freund is an expert on the archaeology of Israel as well as biblical studies, Jewish ethics and philosophy. The author of "Digging Through the Bible" has built his reputation by excavating historic sites in the Middle East.

In 2009, Freund worked with a team of American, Spanish and Canadian scientists to examine a swampy area in Spain which a German scientist had earlier identified as a possible Atlantis site through the examination of sattelite imagery. The team's discovery of subsurface patterns at the site near the Strait of Gibraltar, as well unearthed figurines of "Astartes," a widely-known Phoenecian goddess, were just some of the factors leading to Freund's belief that the site may be Atlantis.

In his presentation at Beth El Temple, Freund will present some of his unpublished theories about why Atlantis might actually be biblical Tarshish. The program will include segments of the National Geographic film and will focus on connections to the Bible and ancient Jewish history.

Freund's presentation is scheduled for Sunday, May 22, from 10 a.m. through noon at Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Ave., West Hartford. Reservations can be made by calling (860) 582-9027 or emailing hgraime@att.net.