2026 Conference on the Jewish Left
Founded in 2024, Boston University’s annual “Conference on the Jewish Left” gathers together scholars, students, and global partners of the Jewish left. At a time when foundational principles of justice and democracy are under attack, the conference provides an educational space to bridge the academic-community divide, and to explore the Jewish left’s values, institutions, and impact. The conference aims to tackle pressing public questions and to empower the next generation of leaders to make a real-world difference in the critical challenges facing humanity and the earth today.
Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026
Location (unless otherwise noted): George Sherman Union • Boston University • 775 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston.
Attendees can register to attend the conference in-person or via livestream.
Schedule
9 – 9:10 • Welcoming Remarks by Jeremy Menchik
9:10 – 10:00 • Keynote Address
Speaker: Peter Beinart
Discussant: Marjorie Feld
10:20 – 11:10 • Morning Workshops (online or in-person)
11:30 – 12:20
Speaker: Dove Kent
Discussant: Ian Lustick
12:20 – 1:30 • Lunch
A prayer by Rabbi Greg Hersh will be followed by lunch and an organizational showcase.
1:30 – 2:20
Speaker: Arielle Angel
Discussant: Liana Krupp
2:40 – 3:30 • Afternoon Workshops (online or on-person)
3:50 – 4:40
Speaker: Fadi Quran
Discussant: Michael Zank
4:40 – 5:00 • Closing Plenary led by Shaul Magid
5:15 – 7:00 PM • Closing Reception
Join us at the Howard Thurman Center, 808 Commonwealth Ave, Brookline, for live music and light appetizers. A cash bar will be available.
For updates, subscribe to the Conference newsletter:
Sponsors
Anonymous Donor
Boston University Center for the Humanities
BU Center on Forced Displacement
BU Middle East and North Africa Initiative
Center for Critical Research on Religion
Concerned Jewish Faculty & Staff
Sobelstein Giving