Jewish studies scholars converge for symposium at York, Oct. 22 and 23

The Israel and Golda Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Studies at York University will host a unique symposium that brings together top scholars in Canadian studies and Jewish studies on Oct. 22 and 23.

The event “No Better Home for the Jews… than Canada?” is a symposium that marks Canada’s Sesquicentennial, and will include a keynote lecture on Oct. 22 and a day-long symposium on Oct. 23.

Prominent Jewish studies scholars – including some of the leading Canadian Jewish studies scholars – will come together and bring their formidable intellects, their range of disciplinary perspectives and their diverse areas of expertise to bear on examining the place of Jews within the Canadian mosaic.

Some scholars will draw out comparisons between specific so-called Golden Age “homes” of Jewish life and Canada; others will approach the question more abstractly or thematically.

The symposium contributes to the Canada 150 celebrations by considering the legacy of Canada’s national project from the perspective of one of Canada’s foremost and original minority ethnic and religious groups.

The symposium’s keynote address, the 2017 Harry S. Crow Lecture, will be delivered by Professor Morton Weinfeld of McGill University. The lecture begins at 6:30pm in the Schulich School of Business, Room 106 with a reception to follow at 8pm in the Schulich Private Dining Room.

The symposium continues Monday, Oct. 23 and runs 9am to 4:30pm in Kaneff Tower, Room 519.

York University Professor David S. Koffman will make the introductory remarks, and the symposium will include essays and arguments from 16 different scholars.

Free tickets are available to both the keynote lecture and the symposium. Free parking passes for the Student Services Parking Garage will be available at the event.

The event is hosted by Koffman and the Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Studies, and is sponsored by the Canada 150 Fund at York; the departments of History, Humanities, and Politics; and by the Robarts Centre for Canadian Studies.

Visit the event website for more information.