Call for papers: Jewish Migration and the Family

Jewish Migration and the Family, Cape Town, 5 – 7 January 2009

The concept of the family is perhaps one of the most mythologised and stereotyped in Jewish history and culture. This conference will explore, within a multi- and inter-disciplinary framework, how Jewish families have been constructed, reconfigured and reconstructed from ancient to modern times. Papers are especially welcome from those exploring the sociological functions of Jewish families; those working in the history of sexuality and the exclusions caused by the focus on the family; representations of the Jewish family in documentary sources, literature, film and television; the reasons behind the phenomenal growth of Jewish genealogy; and developing from the 2007 Kaplan Centre/Parkes Institute conference on ‘Jewish Journeys’, the role of and changing ideas about the family in Jewish migration patterns across the ages.

Please send proposals of 250 words by 31 May 2008 to Dr James Jordan, jaj1@soton.ac.uk You will be informed as to whether your proposal has been accepted by 30 June 2008. The Kaplan Centre at the University of Cape Town will cover four nights accommodation from 4-7 January 2009 for those participants whose proposals have been accepted.