MIDWEST JEWISH STUDIES ASSOCIATION

A Community of Scholars

Welcome to the homepage for the Midwest Jewish Studies Association!
Our organization has been in existence since 1988, and was created with the intention of bringing together scholars of Jewish Studies  in a more friendly, and less-stressed environment than attending one of the bigger conferences each year. While our focus is predominantly on Jewish Studies within the traditional American Midwest, we welcome scholars and scholarship from all aspects of Jewish Studies–History, Anthropology, Religion, Film Studies, English, Music, etc.–and by scholars from across the globe.

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STATEMEN ON ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR

The Executive Board of the Midwest Jewish Studies Association is appalled and deeply saddened by the atrocities committed in Israel on Saturday, October 7, 2023, the last day of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. While we may hold various political views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we are united in our view that the terrorist acts committed by Hamas were abhorrent crimes against human life that must be condemned, unequivocally, as such. The deliberate targeting of civilians is indefensible. We are also troubled by the loss of innocent lives in Gaza. As a diverse group of scholars, we seek to educate others on the multiplicity of Jewish experiences across time and region and promote open intellectual exchange, debate, and disagreement. We reaffirm ourselves to this commitment and stand with Israelis and all people seeking peace in this region and beyond.