Challenging Myths and Stereotypes: Jewish Middle Eastern History Since the 1700s

About This Event

Patriarchal, Traditional, Backward, Oppressive: These are some of the still common misconceptions about Middle Eastern societies – including Jews living in Middle Eastern countries. In this class, we will explore some of these stereotypes, and challenge what we think we know about modernity, family, gender, agency, and the daily lives of Jewish men and women in the Middle East. Our primary case study will be the Jews of Egypt, as we explore the unique characteristics of different Jewish societies across the Middle East.\ \ * Instructor(s): Liat Alon\ Teaching Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, in the Department of History and the Program in Jewish Culture and Society