In a 1930 study sociologist Arthur Ruppin coined the term “Jewish metropolization” to describe the high rates of urbanization by Jews after 1800. He noted that Jews appeared to have a special preference for very large cities: Berlin, Warsaw, Vienna, Budapest, Odessa, London, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Buenos Aires, and after the lifting of Jewish settlement restrictions, Moscow and Petrograd/Leningrad.

The cities identified by Ruppin included capitals and long-established trading hubs, but also those of recent origin that exploded in size during a period of intense growth. James Belich has described the latter as “settler cities,” highlighting their attractiveness to European and other immigrants. Several of these settler cities – Los Angeles, Chicago, Melbourne, Johannesburg, Odessa, Buenos Aires, Tel Aviv, and others – attracted significant numbers of Jews.

This workshop will bring together scholars to think comparatively about Jewish life within these new cities. We invite proposals of up to 500 words that engage broadly with this theme, focusing on either one or more settler city.  

The workshop will take place at the University of Cape Town between 29 and 31 July 2019. Accommodation for four nights and catering during the workshop will be covered.

Please send a proposal and one-page bio to [email protected] by 3 December, 2018.