Thirteenth Congress of the European Association for Jewish Studies
“Renewing Strength in Jewish Studies”
Alcalá de Henares, 12-15 July 2027
Advanced Notice (Call for Papers to be Announced in Due Course)
The Thirteenth Congress of the European Association for Jewish Studies will be held from July 12–15, 2027, at Alcalá de Henares (Madrid). In a time of change and uncertainty in Europe and globally, the EAJS quadrennial congress continues to stand as a key reference point for the advancement of Jewish Studies. The events of October 7, 2023, in Israel, and the subsequent war have had a profoundly negative impact on the field. Against this backdrop, the 2027 congress—drawing inspiration from the prophetic words of Isaiah 40:31 (יַחֲלִיפוּ כֹחַ, “will renew their strength”)—has adopted the motto “Renewing Strength in Jewish Studies.” This theme underscores the resilience of the discipline in the face of social, economic, and political turbulence.
The choice of Alcalá as the venue for the 2027 EAJS Congress is based on both historical and practical considerations. The city’s historic centre and university were declared World Heritage Sites in 1998, highlighting their cultural and academic importance. Founded in 1499 as Complutensis Universitas, this academic institution was a major intellectual hub in early modern Europe and had a notable connection to the city’s Jewish past. Noteworthy figures include Alonso de Zamora, the converso Hebraist responsible for the Hebrew text of the Complutensian Polyglot Bible, and Baltasar Álvarez de Castro (later known as Isaac Orobio de Castro), a prominent leader of the Hispano-Portuguese Jewish community in Amsterdam during the 17th century. The city’s adequate accommodation capacity and its proximity to Madrid and Barajas Airport further adds to its suitability for an event of this scale.