Ethnic Identity and Identification among MENA-origin Jews in transnational perspectives

Session Submission Type: Panel Session

Abstract

Analysis of patterns of identity and identification of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Jews in transnational perspectives is mostly missing in Jewish studies. This session proposes a comparative approach to the study of ethnic identities among MENA-origin Jews in the U.S. and France: It will focus primarily on MENA Jews in three world cities: Los Angeles, Miami and Paris, presenting comparisons between the three Jewish communities and examining generational differences within each community.
The goal is to examine multiple identities: Ethnic-religious, as Jewish people; national, as American or French citizens; transnational, identifying with other countries, as ‘citizens of the world’ and primarily with Israel. This comparative study will conduct secondary analysis of existing data sources on Jews in the U.S and France. Presenters will address the different meanings of ‘being a Jew’ in the different communities.

Sub Unit

• Social Science

Chair

• Judit Bokser Liwerant, UNAM

Individual Presentations

• Ashkenazi, Sephardic, and Mizrahi Jews in the U.S. - Ariela Keysar, Trinity College

• Jews from the East in the End of the West: Persian and Sephardi/Mizrahi Jews in Los Angeles - Bruce Phillips, Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion

• Multiple ethnic identities among MENA origin Jews in Paris: Native-born and immigrants compared - Lilach Lev Ari, Oranim Academic College of Education

• Sephardic Jews in Greater Miami - Ira Sheskin, University of Miami; Henry Green, University of Miami

Zoom Host

• Zoom Host 18