First Contact Day Jewish Studies in the Low Countries Tuesday 20 May 2008, 9:00-19:00 Universiteit Antwerpen, Gebouw Grauwzusters - Promotiezaal Lange Sint-Annastraat 7, 2000 Antwerpen Contact Day in English In cooperation with the History Department at the University of Antwerp The Institute of Jewish Studies organises an interdisciplinary conference concerning Jewish studies in the Low Countries in cooperation with the History Department at the University of Antwerp. The purpose of the conference is to facilitate contacts between researchers working within this area of study. We especially wish to give a forum to young researchers to present "work in progress" and also welcome more established researchers, so that a positive exchange can be established between different research generations. The themes and disciplines represented in the program are history, law, anthropology and sociology. Program 9:15-9:30 Welcome, Introduction 9:30-11:15 SESSION I: EARLY MODERN AND MODERN HISTORY  Chair: Prof. dr. Phyllis Cohen Albert - Harvard University Prof. dr. Shmuel Shepkaru - University of Oklahoma An Early Eleventh Century Jewish Community at Flanders: Myth or Reality Dr. Henriette De Bruyn Kops - Georgetown University The Dutch Spinozas and the Espinozas of Nantes – a Family Scrapbook Drs. Saskia Coenen Snyder - University of Michigan Speklagen in de Pijp: Synagogue Architecture in Nineteenth-Century Amsterdam Drs. Liesbeth Schimmel - Utrecht University Dutch Jews and the Appeal of Reform Judaism 11:15-11:30 Coffee break 11:30-13:00 SESSION II: WORLD WAR II Chair: Drs. Bart Wallet - Amsterdam University Prof. dr. Jean-Philippe Schreiber - Université libre de Bruxelles Presentation of three Research Projects on the History of Jews in Belgium Barbara Dickschen - Université libre de Bruxelles The Education of Jewish Children and Adolescents during World War II in Flanders and Brussels Marc Verschooris & Dr. Yves Louis The Impact of the Prosecution of the Jewish Professors and Students at the Faculty of Medicine of the Ghent University in WW II 13:00-14:00 Lunch break 14.00 -15.30 SESSION III: THE NETHERLANDS AND BELGIUM IN THE 19TH AND 20TH CENTURY Chair: Dr. Veerle Vanden Daelen - University of Antwerp Levi Wastyn - University of Antwerp The Migration of Dutch Diamond Cutters from Amsterdam to Antwerp Gregg Lansu - University of Antwerp The Image of Jews in Flemish Journals after World War II Lars Verstappen - University of Antwerp Jewish Leadership in Belgium: Jewish Politicians after World War II Nathalie Lemmens - University of Antwerp The Impact of the Attacks on the Jewish Community of Antwerp in the 1980’s Drs. Anick Vollebergh - Amsterdam University The Antwerp Jewish Community in a Multicultural Context: Handling Uncomfortable Encounters 15.30-15.45 Coffee break 15:45-17:00 SESSION IV: WOMEN AND GENDER Chair: Prof. dr. Karin Hofmeester - University of Antwerp/IISH Amsterdam Drs. Joke Kusters - University of Antwerp Jewish Women in Limbo. In between Religious Law and State Law Dr. Chia Longman - Ghent University Sacrificing the Career or the Family? Orthodox Jewish Women in between Secular Work and the Sacred Home Prof. dr. Dina Dahbany-Miraglia - City University of New York Yemenite Jews in the Low Countries: A Brief History 17:00-18:00 Closing Session 18:00 BOOK PRESENTATION Laten we hun lied verder zingen. De heropbouw van de joodse gemeenschap in Antwerpen na de Tweede Wereldoorlog (1944-1960) (Dr. Veerle Vanden Daelen) Registration Participation is free of charge, including coffee and tea. Please register with the Institute of Jewish Studies via e-mail or phone: ijs@ua.ac.be - +32 (0)3 275 52 43 For more information on the program please contact: Karin Hofmeester: kho@iisg.nl Veerle Vanden Daelen: veerle.vandendaelen@ua.ac.be For practical information please contact: Luc Acke: ijs@ua.ac.be