New Publications: CURA’s Symposium on the Jewish Left
Following a highly successful conference in May, the Institute on Culture, Religion, and World Affairs (CURA) at Boston University’s Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies is pleased to announce the publication of its symposium on the Jewish left in the journal Critical Research on Religion. This collection of essays, now available open access for a limited time, offers timely insights into the current state of the Jewish left.
The symposium stems from a daylong conference held on May 3rd, which drew over 400 attendees, far exceeding initial expectations. CURA Director Jeremy Menchik opened that event by emphasizing the institute’s commitment to fostering open dialogue and education on various topics, including the significant issues facing the Jewish Left today.
The published symposium features four relevant articles:
Introduction to the Symposium in the Jewish Left by Jeremy Menchik
“The Invitation of Do’ikayt: Mystical anarchism and the Jewish Left” by Andy Izenson
These contributions collectively explore the history, vitality, and challenges facing the Jewish left during what the authors describe as a moment of both renaissance and crisis. The articles address some of the key questions raised during the May conference, including the most pressing concerns facing the Jewish Left today and how the movement can build collaboration and structures during this critical time.
The symposium’s relevance extends beyond Jewish studies, offering scholars valuable opportunities to examine broader societal trends. By studying the Jewish left, researchers can:
- Map the political implications of demographic changes
- Observe how political institutions adapt and respond to moments of crisis
- Witness the evolution and renewal of religious and political traditions
CURA encourages readers to access these open-access articles, emphasizing the importance of this inaugural symposium on the Jewish left in understanding contemporary social movements and religious dynamics. The publication of this symposium fulfills Menchik’s hope, expressed at the May conference, that the event would be the first of many initiatives fostering open discourse on these complex issues.