Canberra to Host Australian Association of Jewish Studies Conference
The Australian Association of Jewish Studies (AAJS) is hosting its 23rd Annual Conference on the theme of Religion and Politics on the 13th and 14th of February. For the first time it will be held in Canberra at the National Jewish Memorial Centre.
The AAJS Conference and the Australian Journal of Jewish Studies provides a forum for tertiary academics, Jewish educators, researchers, students and others devoted to the study of Jewish life, thought and culture. This year Professor Fania Oz-Salzberger from Monash University and the University of Haifa will give the keynote address on the Hebraic Roots of Modern Political Thought: The Philosophers’ Politicized Bible. Other topics to be discussed by leading academics include: The Arts: Jewish and Zionist Identities, The Clash of Fundamentalism and Modernity, Jewish Life in the Roman Period, Turn of the Century: Emancipation in Crisis, The Restoration, The Australian Story, Religion and Politics: Global Implications, The Bible in Dispute: Politics and Interpretations, From the Pale to Glasnost, Two Peoples: Two Histories? and Dwelling in the Shadows: When Trauma Speaks.
On the Sunday evening there will be a joint AAJS-Capital Jewish Forum (CJF) event featuring Mr Mark Dreyfus QC, MP. Former New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies President, barrister and human rights activist, Mr David Knoll AM, will present a satirical piece on Human Rights.
AAJS President Dr Michael Abrahams-Sprod stated that “the annual conference is the showcase of the AAJS and we greatly encourage anyone with an interest in Jewish scholarly work to attend this conference – I would like to emphasise that it is not just for academics.”
ACT Jewish Community President, CJF Executive Director and AAJS Conference Convenor, Mr Manny Waks, added that “the Canberra Jewish Community is looking forward to hosting and welcoming conference participants from around Australia and the world. It is a great opportunity for our community to engage with a high calibre of speakers. I also look forward to co-hosting a CJF event for the very first time since its inception. I’m delighted that the first Distinguished Guest at a CJF event and current member of the CJF Board of Advisors, Mr Mark Dreyfus MP, will be the guest speaker.”
Dr Anna Hueneke is the AAJS Conference Academic Convenor. Dr Hueneke commented that “it has been an honour to work with such a high calibre of presenters in collaboration to bring unique and diverse possibilities for discussion to the conference.”
To register for the AAJS conference or for more information, please see www.aajs.org.au.
