The Oceanic Turn in historiography reframes the Indian Ocean from a vast, isolated expanse into a channel of communication with a vibrant network of exchange and interaction. The Indian Ocean has served as a crossroads of civilizations, linking East Africa, the  Mediterranean, Middle East, and South Asia through extensive trade networks.  Research on Jewish history has seldom addressed the role of Jews in the interconnectedness of the various regions around the Indian Ocean. 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 modern trajectories of the ties between these communities. We invite submissions of papers presenting new research on the movement and connections between Jewish communities along the coasts of the Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf, and the Red Sea. We hope that this conference will serve as a catalyst for further research in this field, and we are open to the possibility of publishing the conference proceedings in a suitable academic forum.