Scholars Conference

2022 Biennial Scholars Conference

 
The 2022 Biennial Scholar's Conference co-hosted by the American Jewish Historical Society’s Academic Council and the Stuart and Suzanne Grant Center for the American Jewish Experience will take place at Tulane University in New Orleans from May 15-17, 2022.
 
The theme for this year’s conference is “Building Bridges in the Americas.” Bridges facilitate movement from one point to another, often spanning a seeming impasse to take us from one place to another. By enabling new relations and migrations, bridges direct flow. Historical actors have sometimes imagined themselves or their lives as bridges between disparate experiences; as feminist writer Cherríe L. Moraga puts it, “I am a woman with a foot in both worlds; and I refuse the split. I feel the necessity for dialogue. Sometimes I feel it urgently.” With the imagery of bridges in mind, possible conference topics might include: indigeneity; Jews of color; multiracial, interfaith, queer and trans experiences; migration; cultural flows; translocality; diversity and inclusion within the Jewish community; less represented voices, populations, and subjects; new models of periodization; ties between American Jewry and Israel; and Jewish studies’ relationship to other fields of study.
 
2022 CONFERENCE LIVESTREAM - Watch Select Sessions Live Below!
2022 PROGRAM UPDATES
  • On Sunday morning the 15th a 2 hour walking tour of the French Quarter will be offered for an additional $20.  Courtesy buses from select conference hotels will provide pick up and drop off (see schedule below.)  The tour will cover 8-10 blocks with 12-15 stops along the way. Sitting opprotunities are limited so be prepared to be on your feet for a full 2 hours.  We are also offering a seated bus tour option, which will focus on areas of interest outside of the French Quarter. To sign up for the walking tour please email info@ajhs.org.
  • We are excited to announce that John Boutte will headline Sunday evening’s musical performance, featuring Wendell Brunious of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band!
  • Join us for a Monday evening happy hour and open house at the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience. Discounted admission rates will also be provided from May 13-23 for all conference attendees who wish to explore on their own. 
ACADEMIC COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP
The Biennial Scholars Conference is open to members of the AJHS Academic Council. To attend the conference, please purchase or renew your membership prior to registering. Memberships are valid for two years, and are available on a sliding pay scale. In addition to access to the conference, your membership includes a 2-year subscription to the American Jewish History quarterly journal, as well as membership and access to the Academic Council Listserv.
 

BECOME A MEMBER OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP HERE

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
This year’s conference fees are designed to help support the costs associated with providing a hybrid conference, allowing scholars the ability to present from across the globe while still allowing Tulane University to host those who are attending in person in New Orleans. As a result, rates are the same whether attending in person or participating online. Select conference sessions will be made available to watch for remote participants, and a full schedule will be provided closer to the date.
 
Member-Full Conference: $245
Student/Postdoc: $200.00
Additional guest for cultural event and dinner: $60
Optional Sunday Morning Historical Tour: $20
 
Cancellation Policy: Due to the hybrid nature of the conference, registration is non-refundable once purchased, but may be transferred to another participant. 
Registration for the conference is now closed- please contact info@ajhs.org for additional information.
 
TRAVEL ACCOMMODATIONS

Pontchartrain Hotel

The Pontchartrain is now sold out for the weekend and they will not be able to accommodate early check ins on Sunday prior to 3pm that day; however, they can sort luggage for guests who might arrive earlier than 3pm.  


Additional Hotels
Hotel Indigo  
Rates: $189/ night 
Code: TUB 
Cut-Off Date: 4/13/2022 
 
Holiday Inn
Rates start at $109 
Group Code: ABC 
Cut-Off Date: 4/13/2022
 
SHUTTLE SCHEDULE

Courtesy shuttles have been arranged to/from the hotels to Tulane and other sponsored activities 

Sunday 5/15 

BUS FOR HISTORICAL TOUR  

8am- Pick up all bus and walking tour participants from Hotel Indigo/Ponchartrain/Holiday Inn 

9am- Drop off walking tour group in French Quarter, bus tour group will continue in bus 

11am- Pick up walking tour group in French Quarter, drop off both groups at hotels 

 

BUSES TO CONFERENCE 

There will be two shuttle options to Tulane. If you plan to arrive at the conference later, please consider the streetcar or rideshare.

11am- Pick up participants from hotels (Holiday Inn/Indigo/Ponchartrain) and drop off at Tulane 

11:30am- Pick up participants from hotels (Holiday Inn/Indigo/Ponchartrain) and drop off at Tulane 

 

BUSES TO DINNER 

The dinner will be within walking distance of the conference. The following will be available for those with mobility issues.

5pm- Pick up guests (those with mobility issues only) from Tulane LBC, drop off at Tulane Cowen Circle (for dinner) 

7pm- Pick up guests (those with mobility issues only) from Tulane Cowen Circle, drop off at Tulane LBC (for concert at Dixon Hall) 

 

BUSES BACK TO HOTELS

9pm – 9:30pm- Both buses will take participants from Tulane to hotels (after concert) 

 

Monday 5/16 

 

BUSES TO CONFERENCE

7:30 am- Pick up guests from hotels, drop off at Tulane 

8am- Pick up guests from hotels, drop off at Tulane 

8:30 am- Pick up guests from hotels, drop off at Tulane 

 

BUSES TO MUSEUM OF THE SOUTHERN JEWISH EXPERIENCE

Tulane will be providing transportation to the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience (MSJE) for a Cocktail Hour reception. Please note that MSJE is a 5-minute walk from the Holiday Inn conference hotel, and a 15-minute walk to the Pontchartrain Hotel and Hotel Indigo. There is also a streetcar stop outside the museum that is on the route back to the hotels.

5 pm- Pick up guests from Tulane, drop off at MSJE 

 

Tuesday 5/17  

 

BUSES TO CONFERENCE 

7:30 am- Pick up guests from hotels, drop off at Tulane 

8am- Pick up guests from hotels, drop off at Tulane 

8:30 am Pick up guests from hotels, drop off at Tulane 

 

AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION

12:45pm- Pick up guests from Tulane, drop off at Airport 

1:30pm- Pick up guests from Tulane, drop off at Airport 

 

SPECIAL OFFERS

In addition to hosting a happy hour event with after-hours access to the exhibits on the evening of Monday, May 16, the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience is pleased to offer a discounted rate for conference attendees of $13 per guest from May 13-May 23 for any conference attendees. Just mention the AJHS Biennial Conference when you purchase your tickets!