New Publication

'The Toledot Yeshu in the Context of Jewish-Muslim Debate'. One of the most controversial books in history, the medieval Toledot Yeshu recounts the life story of Jesus from a negative and anti-Christian perspective. It ascribes to Jesus an illegitimate birth, a theft of the Ineffable Name of God, heretical activities, and, finally, a disgraceful death. Prof. Philip Alexander, a former co-director of the CJS, has contributed to this important collection of essays with a chapter on the Jewish-Muslim dimension. Further information.

Jewish-Christian-Muslim Relations

New appointment for the Co-ordinator of the International Abrahamic Forum. Francesca Frazer, co-administrator of the CJS, has been appointed to assist the Steering Committee of ICCJ’s trilateral Abrahamic Forum, which is based in Heppenheim and which represents the ICCJ’s renewed commitment to Jewish-Christian-Muslim dialogue. Further information.

New Publications

The Agunah Research Unit, which dispersed in 2009, has recently published three books. These include the final report, Agunah: The Manchester Analysis by Prof. Bernard Jackson, former co-director of the CJS, Confronting 'Iggun by Rabbi Dr. Yehudah Abel, and Agunah and Ideology by Dr. Shoshana Knol. Books by two further members of the Unit, together with a Hebrew version of the Summary Report, are scheduled to appear over the next few months. Further information.

Archive of Endangered Languages

An estimated 60% to 80% of the languages in the world at present are in danger of becoming extinct. Yaron Matras' recently launched Archive of Endangered and Smaller Languages site presents samples from an archive of recordings compiled since 1984, including Jewish Neo-Aramaic, Yiddish, Ladino and Judeo-German. Further information.

Levinas Reading Group

Open discussions of the Philosophical Oeuvre. The reading group, which was established by Alex Samely, Professor of Jewish Thought, meets fortnightly during term time to discuss the writings of the French-Jewish philosopher Emmanuel Levinas. The close readings, which are engaged with in open discussion, are based on the English translations (although the French original is also recommended) and can be highly technical. For further information, contact alex.samely@manchester.ac.uk.

New Publication

Nazi Labor Camps in Paris (English Edition). Published by Berghahn Books, this is the English translation of Jean-Marc Dreyfus and Sarah Gensburger's 2003 study of three small labor camps for Jews established in 1943 in the very heart of Paris. It questions the difficult memories surrounding those camps and why they did not find their place in the general narrative of the Holocaust in France. Further information.

Jean-Marc Dreyfus on BBC Radio Manchester

Dr. Jean-Marc Dreyfus discusses the importance of Holocaust education. On 3 October, Jean-Marc Dreyfus will be interviewed by Basil Herwald about the free one-day Holocaust conference on 10 October 2011, which he has organised in conjunction with the Imperial War Museum North. Listen from 7-8pm to BBC Radio Manchester's 'Jewish Citizen Manchester' (95.1FM / DAB).

 If you miss it, you can listen again online for 7 days and we shall put the recording on the CJS website's media page.

Research Seminars, Semester 1, 2011-12

We would like to announce the CJS research seminar series for semester one of the new academic year. All CJS seminars will take place in SG1 (South Ground lecture theatre 1) in the Samuel Alexander Building (Building 67 on the Campus Map). See directions.

16:00 Thu 27 Oct: Les Lancaster (Liverpool John Moores University)
“From Pico to Jung: Jewish Influences on the Psychohistory of Western Culture”

16:00 Thu 10 Nov: Daniel Falk (University of Oregon)
"Material Aspects of Prayer in the Dead Sea Scrolls"

16:00 Thu 8 Dec: Hedva Abel (University of Manchester)
“An Ancient Rabbinic Commentary on Exodus: Literary Structures in the Mekhilta”

We would also draw your attention to some other university events which might be of interest:

14:00 Thu 29 Sept: George Brooke (University of Manchester)
"Jacob and His House in the Scrolls from Qumran"
Venue: Samuel Alexander Building A7 (Ehrhardt Seminar)

14:00 Thu 10 Nov: Dorothy Peters (Trinity Western University)
"The Sword and Its Substitutes: Activism and Pacifism in the Dead Sea Scrolls"
Venue: Samuel Alexander Building A7 (Ehrhardt Seminar)

19:00 Thu 10 Nov: Esther Eshel (Bar Ilan University) 
"Old and New Inscriptions Found in Herodium"
Venue: Samuel Alexander Building A101 (CBS and AIAS Lecture)

Major Research Project

International Study on Corpses of Genocide. The University of Manchester is a partner institution in a 1.2m euro research project funded by the European Research Council on "Corpses of genocide and mass violence". Jean-Marc Dreyfus and Elisabeth Anstett (École des Hautes études en Sciences Sociales - IRIS) will lead this 3 year project that will consider the tracing, exhumation, commemoration, and disposal of the material remains of the victims of mass violence. Further information.

Modern Hebrew Language

A new bursary for students studying Hebrew at Hebrew University. Sophie Garside has been awarded a grant from the BFHU (British Friends of the Hebrew University) of £5000 per year for two years. These awards will be used to offer bursaries for students at the University of Manchester who need extra classes in modern Hebrew to compliment their ulpan sessions at the Rothberg International School at HU. For further information contact
 sophie.garside@manchester.ac.uk 

Hebrew University

Student exchanges with the University of Manchester. A new student exchange programme with Hebrew University has been developed by Sophie Garside. Last year 3 undergraduate students from the University of Manchester studied at HU for a year, and 4 students went out this year. In return, we have been able to host 4 Israeli students over the same period. Such inter-cultural exchanges signal the University's high regard of the Israeli academy as a valued educational partner. Further information on studying Hebrew.

New Publication

A study of the Jewish refugee experience in Manchester. Between 1933 and 1940 Manchester received between seven and eight thousand refugees from Fascist Europe. In this book Bill Williams brings to fruition his long-running research project (sponsored by the AJR) which sought to assess the responses to this crisis in the 'liberal city' of Manchester. Using documentary and oral sources he explores the work of those sectors of local society which took part in the work of rescue. Further information. 

ICCJ Manchester 2012

The International Conference of Christians and Jews (ICCJ) 2012 Manchester Conference. The Centre for Jewish Studies is delighted to be co-sponsoring with Manchester CCJ the ICCJ 2012 conference in Manchester, Sun 01 July - Wed 04 July 2012. A keynote speech will be given by the Chief Rabbi, Lord Sacks. Further information.

Holocaust Conference 10 October 2011

Free One Day Conference on New Directions in Holocaust Research. The Centre for Jewish Studies and the Department of Religions and Theology at the University of Manchester, together with the Imperial War Museum North, are presenting a free one-day conference on Monday 10 October 2011 entitled "New Directions in Holocaust Research". The conference is aimed at anyone wishing to deepen their knowledge of the Holocaust.

The conference, held at the Imperial War Museum North, will include: recent research on the Holocaust from a variety of viewpoints (the afternoon talks are focused on family history); the opportunity to network, debate and discuss the Holocaust and issues of knowledge and memory; and a FREE buffet lunch (Kosher and other dietary needs can be met if requested by 26 September).

Speakers include: Ivan Jablonka, College de France; Alex Korb, University of Leicester; Jackie Mesrie; and Michael Salter, University of Central Lancashire.

To book your place please email Victoria Howarth, Formal Learning Manager, Imperial War Museum at vhowarth@iwm.org.uk. Full programme.

Bill Williams' 80th Birthday

Last week we celebrated Bill Williams' 80th birthday. Bill has been for many years and continues to be an integral part of the Centre. His knowledge about Manchester Jewry is unparalleled and his work on behalf of the Jewish community tireless, as has been well documented. Likewise, the time and support Bill gives to the Centre, and in particular the donation of his library, is greatly appreciated. On behalf of all here at the Centre for Jewish Studies, we wish Bill a very happy birthday.

Tonight, Monday 5 September at 7pm, you can listen to Bill, founder of the Manchester Jewish Museum, being interviewed by Basil Herwald on BBC Radio Manchester's 'Jewish Citizen Manchester' (95.1FM / DAB). If you miss it, you can listen again online for 7 days and we shall put the recording on the CJS website's media page.

Jewish Studies resources

New Library acquisitions. At a time of considerable financial pressure, Jewish Studies library holdings at the University of Manchester continue to grow. In addition to the John Rylands' ongoing acquisition budget for library resources, Alex Samely's AHRC project has generated £3000 for books relating to ancient Jewish texts, and Jean-Marc Dreyfus' ERC project has set aside £5000 for books related to Holocaust and anti-Semitism.

New Publication

A textbook on Holocaust Studies. Co-edited by Jean-Marc Dreyfus and Daniel Langton, the book provides students and teachers with an accessibly written overview of the key themes and major theoretical developments which continue to inform the nature of historical writing on the Holocaust. Further details

Daniel Langton on BBC Radio Manchester

Prof Daniel Langton discusses Jewish views of Paul. On Monday 29 August at 7pm you can listen to Professor Daniel Langton, author of The Apostle Paul in the Jewish Imagination, on BBC Radio Manchester's 'Jewish Citizen Manchester' (95.1FM / DAB) discussing the growing interest in Paul among Jewish scholars and religious leaders. If you miss it, you can listen again online for 7 days and we shall put the recording on the CJS website's media page.

BA Fellow

We congratulate Prof. John Healey on his recent election to the British Academy. He is now the second member of the Centre, alongside Prof. Philip Alexander, to have been honoured with this prestigious academic accolade. Further details

Leo Baeck Institute Yearbook

Cathy Gelbin appointed as new co-editor. It is a reflection of her international reputation that Dr Cathy Gelbin has been appointed co-editor of the Leo Baeck Institute Year Book (Oxford Journals). This is a prestigious Jewish Studies journal which publishes scholarship on the history and culture of German-speaking Central European Jewry from early modern times to the post-war period.