Global Educational Outreach Program; Taube Philanthropies, the William K. Bowes Jr. Foundation, the Association of the Jewish Historical Inst. of Poland, the World Union of Jewish Studies, and the Austrian Science Fund ESPIRT project ESP120

Time: 25.-26.06.2024
Venue: POLIN Museum Warsaw
Proposals by: 15.01.2024

For the past few decades, flourishing gender studies have provided new heuristic tools, theoretical reflections, and methodological approaches that have also brought fruitful results in historical research. Cross- and intercategorial angles based on concepts such as intersectionality expanded conventional historiographical narratives and, thus, not least, contributed significantly to new findings in Jewish studies. Perspectives on Jewish history and culture drifted towards more open, mutual, and sensitive understandings of categorizing individuals and groups. The inclusion of gender helped to reflect on how encounters, exchanges, and diverse forms of togetherness unfolded in different historical pasts. This has particularly fostered microhistorical case studies that contributed to a more nuanced understanding of the everyday life of Jews in Central and Eastern Europe.
During the workshop, the organizers seek to discuss encounters between Jewish and non-Jewish men and women; perspectives on queerness, masculinity or femininity; sexualities; and aspects of distinct gendered Jewish history. Questions the organizers want to address include: In which perspectives on everyday life does gender prove to be a relevant category of analysis? Which intersectional aspects are relevant in interpreting frequent encounters between Jews and non-Jews? Which theoretical frames help us to sharpen our research on agency in daily working patterns? How did gendered affiliations frame daily encounters? How were diverse sexual identifications articulated, lived, and shared?
Moreover, with this workshop gathering scholars specializing in Jewish and non-Jewish history in Europe, the organizers seek to stimulate the discussion on the place of Jewish studies in the gendered history of the region and situate Jewish Studies in the broader academic landscape transformed by the gendered turn.
This workshop is the second in the envisioned series of meetings in various formats, in-person, hybrid, and online, that would foster the creation of a working group of Europe-based scholars who use some elements of gender analytical tools for the study of Central and Eastern European Jewries. The first workshop took place at the University of Graz in Austria in October 2023 and resulted in fruitful discussions on pre-circulated papers (Web).

This time, the workshop will take place at the POLIN Museum in Warsaw on 25-26 June 2024. The organizers plan to replicate the format of the first workshop, hosting a journal luncheon and the discussion of pre-circulated papers among the participants.
The organizers look forward to receiving abstracts of proposed papers in English of no more than 300 words by researchers from all relevant disciplines. They expect accepted participants to distribute their papers at least two weeks before the workshop. Please send an abstract and a short CV by e-mail (to ajakubczak at polin.pl) by 15 January 2024. All applicants will be notified of the results by 15 February.
The organizers will provide accommodation for two nights in Warsaw as well as travel allowances (up to 350 euros) for participants who have no academic affiliation or are unable to cover their travel expenses. In the abstract, please indicate whether you would like to apply for a travel allowance.
The workshop is organized within the Global Educational Outreach Program and is made possible thanks to the support of Taube Philanthropies, the William K. Bowes Jr. Foundation, the Association of the Jewish Historical Institute of Poland, the World Union of Jewish Studies, and the Austrian Science Fund ESPIRT project ESP120.

Contact Email: ajakubczak@polin.pl

Source: H-Net Notifications