The first International Conference of ISSAJ is dedicated to a broad and interdisciplinary overview of the study of black African Jewry. A number of recent studies have dealt with the constructions of Judaism or Jewishness among Black Africans and their relation to the historical experience of migrations, slavery and colonialism. What is the state of this field of study? What are the main points of discussion?

We invite proposals from researchers interested in the scholarly investigation of African Judaism, the history of African Jews and the development of Semitic discourses in AFRICA to participate.
Submission deadline: April 30th, 2010 by email to edithbruder@gmail.com

Abstracts should succinctly state the problematic addressed and should be presented in no more than 200 words. Applications must include the name of the presenter, university degrees obtained, and current institutional affiliation, if any.

Presenters will be expected to pay conference fees and ISSAJ membership to the association as well. More information on the conference organization (hotel booking etc) and the form to submit payments will follow.