INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM

2,000 YEARS OF JEWISH LIFE IN MOROCCO: AN EPIC JOURNEY

The symposium is being held under the High Patronage of His Majesty Mohammed VI, King of Morocco
and made possible through the generous support of the Edmond J. Safra Philanthropic Foundation

May 15 & 16, 2011

Opening / Closing Remarks by Florence Tatistcheff-Amzallag, ASF V.P.

Sunday, May 15, 2011 (DAY 1) 10:00am

Morning Session (Click to Hear Audio) Part 1 Part 2

Welcome & Introduction to the Symposium David E.R. Dangoor, ASF President
H.E. Aziz Mekouar - Moroccan Ambassador to the U.S.

10:30am 2,000 Years of Jewish Life in Morocco: A Visual Journey Sonia Fellous, School of Paris V Sorbonne, Paris

11:00am Session (1) 'From Antiquity to Today' Berber, Arab and Sephardi: The Diversity of Jewish Life in Moroccan History Daniel Schroeter, University of Minnesota Foreign Influences in the 20th Century David Bensoussan, University of Quebec, Montreal

Afternoon Session (Click to Hear Audio) Part 1 Part 2

2:00pm Session (2) 'Evolution of Jewish Life' The French Jewish 'Alliance', the American 'Joint' and the Jews of Morocco Yaron Tsur, Department of Jewish History, Tel-Aviv University Moroccan Jews and the Law: Halakha, Shari'a and Consular Protection in the 19th Century Jessica Marglin, Princeton University

3:15pm Session (3) 'Moroccan Jews and the Arts' Moroccan Jewish Literary Creativity Yaelle Azagury, Freelance Cultural Reporter Liturgy, Piyutim and Andalusian Music Dina Sabbah, Ethnomusicologist, Montreal Jews and Art in a Muslim Land Vivian Mann, Jewish Theological Seminary, New York

5:00pm Conclusion of Day 1

Monday, May 16, 2011 (DAY 2)

Morning Session (Click to Hear Audio) Part 1 Part 2

10:00am Welcome Florence Tatistcheff, ASF Vice-President Session (4) 'Tribute to Professor Haïm Zafrani' The Passion of a Scholar for his own Cultural Heritage Nicole Serfaty, University of Paris

10:30am Session (5) 'Morocco and Its Jews: History and Social Memories' Between History and Memory: Jews in Moroccan Muslim Narratives Aomar Boum, University of Arizona The Role of some Jewish Diplomats and Financial Advisers throughout the History of Morocco Nicole Serfaty, University of Paris

11:30am Session (6) 'Contributions of Moroccan Rabbis to Universal Jewish Thought' Old Wisdom for New Times: Insights from the Moroccan Rabbinic Tradition Rabbi Marc D. Angel, Founder, The Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals Elijah Benamozegh: The Kaballah and Interreligious Discourse Clémence Boulouque, Jewish Theological Seminary, New York

Afternoon Session (Click to Hear Audio) Part 1 Part 2

1:30pm Session (7) 'Contributions of the Moroccan Jewish Diaspora' Moroccan Jewry in the Diaspora: A Visual Passage Sonia Fellous, School of Paris V Sorbonne, Paris The Literature of Exile: The Origins in Marcel Benabou's Family Epic Robert Elbaz, University of Haifa The Moroccan Diaspora in Israel Yafit Lev-Aretz, University of Pennsylvania The Moroccan Diaspora in the Americas David Bensoussan, University of Quebec, Montreal

3:50pm Session (8) 'Jews in Morocco Today: Preserving the Link' A roundtable discussion to include current efforts to preserve Jewish sites in Morocco Invited guests: Serge Berdugo, Ambassador-At-Large for the Kingdom of Morocco; Arlette Berdugo, author; Jacky Kadosh, President of the Jewish communities of Marrakesh and Essaouria; and Rabbi Rafael Benchimol. Moderated by Stanley Urman, Ph.D., ASF Executive Director

5:00pm Closing Remarks: Florence Tatistcheff-Amzallag


Press Release

Symposium Brochure Page One | Page Two

HIGH-RES PDF BROCHURE

Contributing scholars from the following academic institutions will be participating: The University of Paris, France; The Sorbonne, Paris, France; The University of Quebec, Canada; Tel-Aviv University, Israel; The University of Haifa, Israel; Princeton University, New Jersey; The University of Arizona; The University of Minnesota; The University of Pennsylvania; The Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, and The Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals in New York.