Yeshiva University Center for Israel Studies
16-18 May
2027
2027
Call for Papers
Introduction
The Red Sea region has had a powerful presence in Jewish history – from biblical times to the present. This international conference will explore the ways in which the Red Sea maritime corridor has served as a conduit for the movement of Jewish people, traditions, and knowledge from antiquity to the modern era.
Historical and Geographical Significance
The Red Sea is a channel of communication which has served as a crossroads of civilizations, linking East Africa, the Mediterranean and Middle East through extensive trade networks. Historical research has seldom addressed the role of Jews in the interconnectedness of the regions surrounding the Red Sea. Yet Jewish communities, deeply integrated within these networks, have left an indelible mark on the history of the region, shaping trade, culture, and social dynamics.
The conference seeks to highlight the historical and more recent trajectories and ties that connect the Jewish communities flanking these waters. We welcome interdisciplinary papers presenting new research on the historical, geographical, religious, and cultural ties linking these communities. Key geographic regions of focus include modern Saudi Arabia, Egypt (including the Sinai, Port Said and the Suez Canal), Yemen, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea, the Gulf of Aden, southern Israel and Jordan. This conference will serve as a catalyst for further research and result in an academic publication.
Thematic Scope
We invite submissions that address the following themes:
➢ Historical Trends and Movement: The development and movement of Jewish communities along the Red Sea from ancient times through the modern era, with an emphasis on how these communities interacted and were changed by migration and cross-cultural exchange.
➢ Trade and Commerce: The economic contributions of Jewish traders in the Red Sea region, focusing on commodities and their integration into global markets.
➢ Communal Connections and Knowledge Exchange: The nature of historical ties, migrations, and the transfer of traditions and ideas along the Red Sea coastlines.
➢ Diaspora Networks: The connections between Jewish communities along the Red Sea regions and their counterparts in other parts of the world.
➢ Maritime Geography: The role of strategic ports and sea routes in shaping Jewish migration and settlement patterns across the Red Sea.
➢ Religious and Cultural Developments: Studies on localized and regional religious practices, oral tradition, art and music, as well as the Red Sea in the Jewish imagination.
➢ Modern Infrastructure and Geopolitics: The impact of major maritime developments, such as the opening of the Suez Canal, on Jewish mobility, trade, and demographic shifts.
Conference Structure & Logistics
The conference will take place over three days in Manhattan on May 16-18, 2027.
- Sunday Afternoon: Opening Session & Keynote
- Monday: Academic Sessions & Guided Local Tour
- Tuesday (Half-Day): Morning Panels & Closing Remarks
Limited funding will be available for travel and accommodations. If you require travel support, please indicate this in the online form, and the organizing committee will carefully review all requests.
Submission Guidelines
We invite proposals for original academic papers that offer a significant contribution to the study of the Red Sea Jewish experience. Abstracts (up to 250 words) should clearly outline the research question, methodology, and key findings. Please plan for publication. Include a short bio. The conference will accommodate a maximum of 20 presenters, to ensure deep discussion and high engagement. English will be the language of the conference and the publication.
- Submission Deadline: October 26, 2026
- How to Apply:
Conference Details
This conference is organized by the Shazar Center for Jewish History, the E’ele Be’Tamar Association and the Yeshiva University Center for Israel Studies.
Academic Committee: Prof. Steven Fine, Dr. Sharon Shalom, Prof. Bat-Zion Eraqi Klorman, Dr. Rachel Yadid, Dr. Aaron Greener, Dr. Assaf Avraham.
The conference will be held at the American Sephardi Federation (Center for Jewish History). 15 West 16th St. New York, NY.
Call For Papers Application
Maritime Connections international conference – Exploring the Dimensions of Jewish Presence Along the Red Sea
Address
American Sephardi Federation (Center for Jewish History).
15 West 16th St. New York, NY.
info@mrtmsummit.com