To be (dis)continued. New Perspectives on the Entanglements of Gender, Sexualities, and Jewishness

Workshop organized by the research group “Gender/Queer and Jewish Studies” at the Selma Stern Center for Jewish Studies Berlin-Brandenburg in cooperation with the Association for Jewish Studies in Germany

June 20-23, 2023 in Berlin

The research group “Gender/Queer and Jewish Studies” is organizing a workshop for early career researchers on the multifaceted entanglements of Gender, Sexualities, and Jewishness. The workshop wants to offer a networking opportunity in a field that has been situated at the margins of academia so far.

Our aim is to explore the nexus of notions of Gender, Sexualities, and Jewishness from an interdisciplinary perspective. Historical research has shown that the three analytical categories are connected to phenomena of antisemitism, homophobia, and misogyny. Experiencing historical alterity in terms of identity, self-conceptions, and projections from a heteronormative and/or (non-)Jewish position opens up spaces for further research.

How can we address the complexities of the intertwining of Gender, Sexualities, and Jewishness? What, for example, is the relation between Jewishness and Queerness? Which ways of expression were developed by Jewish Queers? Which narratives are (not) told, and why? How were Jewish bodies constructed between the poles of objectification and self-empowerment? Which new forms of belonging, exclusion, and community formation were established? These questions have not only been important for past and present research but can inspire new discourses.

The multidimensional dynamics of Gender, Sexualities, and Jewishness can be observed in culture, literature, religion, sports, art, films, and memory. The workshop will offer a platform for exploring these manifold research areas in a way that includes and amplifies various perspectives.

We value interdisciplinary approaches to investigating the entanglements of Jewishness, Gender, and Sexualities and, therefore, invite scholars from all academic disciplines. We are particularly interested in questions concerning the intersection of class, race, age, space, generation, (dis-)ability, etc. with no restrictions to a specific research period. However, we encourage especially researchers who focus on 20th- and 21st-century topics or methodological approaches to apply. Submissions can cover, but are not limited to:

• (Queer-)Jewish Feminism
• Gender conceptions including Jewish masculinities, femininities, being trans, non-binary, gender-fluidity
• Transnational Holocaust history and memory in the past and in the digital age
• Interrelations to other genocides and atrocities in a global, transnational context, e.g. antiziganism
• Forms of violence, e.g. human trafficking, abuse
• Biographies of Jewish women* and queer Jews
• Concepts of belonging, queer kinship, communities, and alliances
• Transformative theological approaches to Queerness and Gender identities
• New perspectives on Israel Studies in regard to Gender and Queerness

We invite early career scholars (students completing their master’s studies, Ph. D. students, and post- doctoral researchers) conducting research in the field of Gender/Queer and Jewish Studies to submit a proposal for a session during a three-day workshop in June 2023. The workshop aims to benefit the research of its participants and shall be an opportunity to strengthen networks. That is why we are open to any kind of session format: presentations, joint working on selected sources, discussing a specific methodological question, etc. Group presentations of not more than three people are also welcomed. Please indicate in your proposal how you would like to present your research.

Please submit your proposal of 300-400 characters in English or German and a short academic CV (1/2 page) to the research group Gender/Queer and Jewish Studies (fg.gq.jewstud@gmail.com) until May 31, 2022.

The workshop is conducted by a team of researchers working voluntarily and with limited funding. We will do our best to attract funding for all relevant costs (accommodation, travel expenses, catering). However, we would appreciate it if participants could check with their local universities or institutions for any personal travel/conference funds. Please indicate in your application whether those would be available to you (this is not a criterion for admission, of course).

For any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via fg.gq.jewstud@gmail.com. We are looking forward to welcoming you to Berlin in 2023!

Organizing committee:
Janin Afken (Humboldt University of Berlin)
Dr. Katja S. Baumgärtner (associated with the Selma-Stern-Center for Jewish Studies) David Gasparjan (Free University of Berlin)
Liesa Hellmann (Humboldt University of Berlin)
Dr. Elisabeth Janik-Freis (Technical University of Berlin)
Jan Wilkens (University of Potsdam)