Each year possible ASF IJE hosts a yearly academic conference focusing on a unique Jewish Experience. The 3-day event contains cultural performances, academic lectures with international participants, and an artistic exhibit.
The Aden Conference
Throughout centuries of war, peace, progress and challenges, Jews and Muslims have lived in
Yemen. Aden became an important port with a difficult terrain and climate, and generations of
conquest. It grew to be a strong hub under British rule. It attracted many merchants from the
region, growing the local population to 100,000 in 1948. Among those living there in 1920, were
a majority Muslims, 14% Jews, and the rest a mix of Christians, Zoroastrians, Hindus, and
others. It was a real meeting place of cultures and religions from around the region. The unique
nature of this port on the tip of the Arabian Peninsula is a study in a multi-cultural society with
deep indigenous roots.
On August 28, 2023 the history and culture of Aden as a multi-cultural port will come to life at
the JW3 in London. Singers and dancers from Israel and the UK will perform 6:30-8:30 pm.
Awards for Aden communal leaders, and a photo exhibit exploring the multi-cultural world that
was will be shown throughout the evening.
August 29-30 over 30 scholars from the UK, US, Yemen, Aden, and Israel will present the
history, social interactions, commerce, religious interactions, trauma, dispersion of the Jewish
community, and future of Aden.
The conference will explore the complexity and vitality of this international, interreligious and
Yemen. Aden became an important port with a difficult terrain and climate, and generations of
conquest. It grew to be a strong hub under British rule. It attracted many merchants from the
region, growing the local population to 100,000 in 1948. Among those living there in 1920, were
a majority Muslims, 14% Jews, and the rest a mix of Christians, Zoroastrians, Hindus, and
others. It was a real meeting place of cultures and religions from around the region. The unique
nature of this port on the tip of the Arabian Peninsula is a study in a multi-cultural society with
deep indigenous roots.
On August 28, 2023 the history and culture of Aden as a multi-cultural port will come to life at
the JW3 in London. Singers and dancers from Israel and the UK will perform 6:30-8:30 pm.
Awards for Aden communal leaders, and a photo exhibit exploring the multi-cultural world that
was will be shown throughout the evening.
August 29-30 over 30 scholars from the UK, US, Yemen, Aden, and Israel will present the
history, social interactions, commerce, religious interactions, trauma, dispersion of the Jewish
community, and future of Aden.
The conference will explore the complexity and vitality of this international, interreligious and
The Jewish Africa Conference 2021: 3-day Conference on African Judaism (JAC)
The second annual Jewish Africa conference will bring together a circle of veteran and emerging African Jewish leaders and researchers who will present the history and contemporary situation of Jewish Africa, including the role of Jews and the need for Jewish voices in African civil society, the developent of Jewish space, adn perspectives on old and new African Jewish identities.
The Global Nação 2020 (Postponed): Celebrating the Spanish & Portuguese Jewish Communities
The Global Nação Conference will explore the complexity and vitality of this community in its historical and modern-day contexts through an examination of its history, religious leaders, customs, liturgy, literature, arts, and material culture. Taking advantage of our location in New York City, home of one of the great Spanish and Portuguese Jewish congregations—Shearith Israel—we will also engage with the vibrant, living communities who still dedicate themselves to the traditions and culture of the Spanish and Portuguese minhag across the globe.
Jews and Muslims of Morocco 2019: Exploring Uncommon Commonalities
The American Sephardi Federation’s second annual conference focusing on Moroccan Jews and Muslim-Jewish relations in Morocco. A three-day academic and cultural conference, presenting the cultural, Rabbinic and intellectual tradition of Arabic-speaking, Berber-speaking, and French-speaking Jews and their commonalities with their Muslim counterparts. Held on June 17-19, 2019 at the Center for Jewish History in New York, NY.
The Yemenite Conference 2018: Shared Cultural Values of Jews & Muslims in Yemen
A three day academic and cultural conference presenting the cultural heritage of Yemenite Jews and their commonalities with Muslims of Yemeni heritage, organized by E’eleh BeTamar in conjunction with the American Sephardi Federation and the Institute of Semitic Studies.