200 Years of the Science of Judaism: Historiography, Ideology and the Challenge of a Usable Past

Jan Morrens Announcement
Location
Israel
Subject Fields
Jewish History / Studies

200 Years of the Science of Judaism: Historiography, Ideology and the Challenge of a Usable Past
Annual International Conference of the Leo Baeck Institute Jerusalem
February 18-20, 2018

In collaboration with: The Historical Society of Israel, The Institute for the History of the German Jews (Hamburg), Wissenschaftliche Arbeitsgemeinschaft of the Leo Baeck Institute, Cymbalista Synagogue and Jewish Heritage Center (Tel Aviv), The Institute of Jewish Studies (University of Antwerp), The Center for Jewish Studies (University of Basel)

The conference will focus on the history and historiographical aspects of the Science of Judaism (Wissenschaft des Judentums), from its beginnings in the early 19th century Germany, its geo-cultural diffusion, up and till contemporary Jewish Studies. We will examine the interaction between the various moments and centers of Jewish studies, their inter-connections and synergies as well as methodological and thematic divergences or disagreements. The unique characteristics of each of the regnant centers of the discipline will be considered. A special emphasis will be given to the present situation of Jewish Studies, its concerns and interests, its challenges as well as its future prospects.

Professor Ismar Schorsch (The Jewish Theological Seminary, New York) will deliver the keynote address.

We are inviting scholars from various disciplines to submit proposals for papers, including the following topics:
- The historical context of the founding of Jewish Studies
- Jewish Studies in various centers during the nineteenth century (Germany, Italy, England, France, Eastern Europe etc.) – institutional and informal professional networks promoting collaboration of scholars across national and cultural boundaries.
- The relation between Wissenschaft des Judentums, Hokhmat Yisra’el and Jewish Studies
- The reception and transfer of knowledge between Jewish Studies and other scholarly disciplines.
- Paradigm shifts in Jewish Studies: gender, language, culture, methods, technology
- Hebraism, Orientalism and Jewish Studies
- The relation between Jewish Studies and Jewish Orthodoxy
- From the traditional book-shelf to the Jewish Studies library
- Contemporary trends, directions and centers – comparative perspectives
- Cultural and ideological disputes and conflicts.

Proposals for paper topics should be submitted by June 30, 2017 to leobaeck@leobaeck.org. Applicants should include a summary of their proposal of no more than 200 words, a statement not exceeding 150 delineating their scholarly interests and publications, academic affiliation and contact details. Please submit all materials in Microsoft Word only. Proposals will be reviewed and selected by a committee. Applicants will be notified by July 31, 2017.

Contact Information

Dr. des. Irene Aue-Ben-David
Director
Leo Baeck Institute Jerusalem

Contact Email
leobaeck@leobaeck.org