The eighteenth annual conference of the Midwest Jewish Studies Association (MJSA) will be held September 10-11, 2006 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The conference is hosted by the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion.

The conference welcomes proposals in all areas of Jewish Studies: from any discipline (history, philosophy, literature, religion, sociology, music, etc.) and from any time period (ancient to contemporary). The MJSA encourages panelists to address pedagogical aspects of their topics, and papers centered on pedagogical issues are most welcome.

All interested scholars and professionals of Jewish Studies, including advanced graduate students, are cordially invited to submit proposals for papers, presentations, and workshops. Proposals may be for complete sessions or for individual papers. Proposals must include a 200-word abstract defining the primary themes, conclusions and sources utilized in the research as well as a complete CV. Session proposals must include abstracts for 2 to 3 papers, CVs for all participants, a general explanation of how the papers are related and what the general significance of the panel is, as well as the name of the chair of the proposed session. Individuals willing to chair a session (rather than give a paper) are invited to submit a CV, with an indication of areas of expertise.

This year, Hebrew Union College has generously offered to open its superb library and archives to all participants, during and after the conference. Tours of the library and the American Jewish Archives will also be available.

The deadline for the submission of proposals for individual papers or complete sessions is May 1, 2006. Please direct all inquiries and submissions to:

Joshua Shanes
University of Illinois
Department of History
309 Gregory Hall
810 S. Wright Street
Urbana, IL 61801
Fax: (217) 333-2297
e-mail: jshanes@spertus.edu