The Future of German Jewish Studies

Focusing on two new volumes published in honor of Jonathan Hess, this panel discussion poses broad questions about the content and future of this elusive field of inquiry. Dismissed by some as a boutique enterprise dedicated to largely secularied German Jews whose time of flourishing lies in the rather distant past, German Jewish Studies emerges in these new publications in quite a different light. In the spirit of Jonathan Hess, the contributors present us with essays that span disciplinary boundaries to include Yiddish studies, Holocaust studies, medieval studes, translation studies, theater studies, as well as important insights from history, political science, philology, and more. In other words, German Jewish Studies presents itself here not as a moribund, antiquarian undertaking, but rather as an exemplary Knotenpunkt for cross-disciplinary discussion in the humanities. Participants will be asked to reflect how their own work–and that of others presented in these volumes–potentially models new directions in cooperative humanities projects.

Hosted by William Collins Donahue (University of Notre Dame), founding co-editor (with Martha Helfer) of the book series Nexus: Essays in German Jewish Studies.

This virtual event is geared toward the academic community but the general public is welcome to attend. It is organized by the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies. For the most updated event information, visit the event registration page.

This event will be recorded, and by joining in the session you are consenting to be recorded. The recording will be made available on the event organizer’s web and social media sites.