Jackson School of International Studies Stroum Center for Jewish Studies

Conventional history states Christopher Columbus was from Genoa, Italy, but he may have been, in fact, a Sephardic Jew from the eastern Iberian Peninsula, according to a new documentary by Spain’s national broadcaster that also rekindles questions of religious persecution and the treatment of Indigenous communities. Devin Naar, associate professor of history and of Jewish studies at the UW, is quoted.

Happening September 18–27, 2024, Dawg Daze offers more than 500 events hosted by student organizations and UW departments. Kick off the fall quarter and celebrate a return to campus with these can’t-miss recommendations from the College of Arts & Sciences!

"In the Old Town of Rhodes, a picturesque tourist destination in the Aegean Sea, stands a monument to a dark period in the island’s past. In the former “Djuderia,” the Jewish quarter, a marble obelisk commemorates the deportation of the island’s small but vibrant Sephardic Jewish community to Auschwitz-Birkenau on July 23, 1944," writes Devin Naar, associate professor of history and of Jewish studies at the UW.

"The first comprehensive federal immigration legislation in the history of the U.S., the 1924 law solidified features of the immigration system with us today: visa requirements, the Border Patrol, and the category of the 'illegal alien.' Even as the primary targets of immigration restrictionism have shifted over the century, the consequences for immigrants and their communities remain profoundly shaped by the system created in 1924," writes Devin Naar, associate professor of history and of Jewish studies at the UW.

This week, attend the Diversity Lecture Series “Unveiling Maternal Morbidity and Mortality in the United States”, celebrate the Jacob Lawrence Gallery Reopening, listen to Indigenous storytellers at Sacred Breath, and more. November 13, 3:00 – 4:30pm | Diversity Lecture Series: “Unveiling Maternal Morbidity and Mortality in the United States: Disparities and Challenges in Women’s Health”,...

Israeli strikes on Gaza continue as the conflict between Hamas militants and Israel enters its eleventh day. The Israeli Defense Force now says more than 1,400 people were killed in the Oct. 7 massacre, where Hamas fighters targeted families in their homes, young people at a dance music festival and several Israeli military border bases. Hamas also captured nearly 200 hostages. The dead include Hayim Katsman, who studied at the UW Jackson School of International Studies. The UW's Liora Halperin, professor of history and international studies, and Smadar Ben-Natan, postdoctoral fellow in Israel studies, are quoted.

This week, learn why Emily Bender believes “AI” is a bad term, take part in the Dubal Memorial Lecture on ‘Race, Science, and Pregnancy Trials in the Postgenomic Era’, view the film screening of Tortoise Under the Earth, and more.

The UW hosted its first Sephardic art symposium, likely the first anywhere in the U.S. The event was called "Muestros Artistas," which means "Our Artists." It featured six Sephardic artists -- a mix of musicians, writers and painters from all over the U.S. Devin Naar, associate professor of history and of Jewish studies at the UW, is quoted.

This week, join fellow art lovers at the Henry Art Gallery for new spring exhibits, watch as The Motherboard Suite brings to life music, and much more. March 31, 7:00 – 9:00 PM |Public Opening: Spring Exhibitions, Henry Art Gallery New art is waiting to be enjoyed at the Henry Art Gallery. Join in celebration...

This week, join fellow art lovers at the Henry Art Gallery for new spring exhibits, watch as The Motherboard Suite brings to life music, and much more. March 31, 7:00 – 9:00 PM |Public Opening: Spring Exhibitions, Henry Art Gallery New art is waiting to be enjoyed at the Henry Art Gallery. Join in celebration...

"Americans spend more than half a billion dollars annually on 150 million units of imported Christmas lights. U.S. News & World Report ranks the best Christmas light displays. And ABC’s reality TV show “The Great Christmas Light Fight” recently premiered its 10th season. Christmas lights, in short, are not only ubiquitous but also central to American culture. But that has not always been the case. The man credited with popularizing Christmas lights in the early 20th century, Albert Sadacca, had never celebrated Christmas. In fact, he was a Jew from the Muslim world," writes Devin Naar, associate professor of history and Jewish studies at the UW.

Through public events and exhibitions, connect with the UW community every week! Highlights of current and upcoming exhibitions:  October 27 – November 23 | Miha Sarani: Amends, Art Building The Jacob Lawrence Gallery is pleased to host Seattle artist Miha Sarani. This exhibition is a broad survey of Sarani’s work, focusing on portraiture while also...

Through public events and exhibitions, connect with the UW community every week! Highlights of current and upcoming exhibitions:  Until October 29 |The Traveling Jacob Lawrence Gallery: MFA Group Show, SOIL Art Gallery (Pioneer Square) October 27 – November 23 | Miha Sarani: Amends / November 2, 5 – 8 PM: Reception, Art Building November 6...

Through public events and exhibitions, connect with the UW community every week! October 17, 1:30 PM | Guest Artist Interview – Morris Robinson, Brechemin Auditorium, School of Music Building Making his Seattle Opera debut in the role of King Marke in Tristan und Isolde, internationally acclaimed bass and recent GRAMMY winner Morris Robinson visits the...

Federalism, queer history, the impact of the Russian Revolution on Jewish communities, and the evolution of Filipinx American studies are among the subjects of recent and upcoming books by UW faculty.