Workshop: "PROMISED LANDS: ISRAEL-DIASPORA RELATIONS AND BEYOND"

Veranstalter

• Zentrum für Israel-Studien, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
• Center for Advanced Studies, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
• Ben-Gurion-Lehrstuhl für Israel- und Nahoststudien, Hochschule für Jüdische Studien Heidelberg

Ort

Center for Advanced Studies der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

Datum

23. - 25. Mai 2016

Ziele des Workshops

The young scholars’ workshop focuses on the relationship between the State of Israel and Jewish communities worldwide. This relationship is often conceptualized in ideologically charged terms. “Diaspora,” the term most frequently used for Jewish communities outside of Israel, describes these relations in terms of “center” and “periphery” and is filled with negative connotations going back to religious traditions of spiritual diminishment and exile. But beyond messianic utopias, the actual state plays a great variety of different roles among Jews and their communities. Since its creation in 1948, Israel has shaped and formed the perceptions and self-perceptions of Jews around the world. What is more, these communities influence and shape Israeli culture, society and politics. Migration in both directions is a key element of these relations as migrants serve as agents of transcultural exchange and considerably help shaping mutual perceptions. These complex and multilayered relations and their representations are at the center of the workshop. The workshop offers young scholars from Europe in the field of Israel Studies a forum to discuss their work with their peers and senior scholars alike. Scholars on the doctoral and post-doctoral level (within three years after completing their Ph.D.) can expand their networks and help to foster a vivid academic community of Israel Studies in Europe.