As a premiere hub for Jewish Studies, the Stroum Center features an internationally recognized Sephardic Studies Program, a growing Israel Studies Program, and a vibrant undergraduate and graduate community.
Upcoming Events
5/5 TALK | The Jews of Ottoman Izmir: Dina Danon in Conversation with Devin E. Naar
Wednesday, May 5, 5:00 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. PT
5/19 COLLOQUIUM | Sephardic Experiences of Modernity: Newspapers, Migrants, and Midwives
Wednesday, May 12, 10:00 a.m. PT - 11:30 a.m. PT
5/21 COLLOQUIUM | Tradition and Continuity: Jewish Cultural History Through Art, Music and Travelogue
Friday, May 14, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. PT
Latest Articles
Uncovering the history of Seattle’s first settlers from the Ottoman Empire
Using census data from the early 20th century, grad fellow Oya Rose Aktaş sketches a portrait Seattle's very first residents from the Ottoman Empire, from 1890-1910.
Rediscovering “El bukieto de romansas”: A century of Sephardic folk songs
By making a historic Sephardic songbook available online, graduate fellow Ke Guo hopes to pass on a rich legacy of Sephardic music — and to further our understanding of how Sephardic music has changed over time.
Mosaics of the Abraham & Isaac story show how Jews in late antiquity used art to connect with religion and community
Countering misperceptions, grad fellow Abby Massarano explains that Jews in the 6th century CE embraced visual art, and shows what we can learn about these communities from their depictions of the key story of Abraham's Binding of Isaac.
“The yoke of the Gentiles is not upon them”: Benjamin of Tudela’s geography of Jews in medieval Iraq and Kurdistan
Rabbi Benjamin of Tudela's travel writing shows that Jews in medieval Iraq and Kurdistan lived in (relative) peace and freedom, countering narratives of universal misery and oppression, grad fellow Jeffrey Haines writes.
Listen to Hazzan Isaac Azose sing a popular Ladino song with an Ottoman melody
With Ladino lyrics drawn from the Sephardic Studies Digital Collection, UW Ph.D. student Ke Guo and Hazzan Isaac Azose preserve the Ottoman tune to "El Dyo Alto."
From the Collection: Medjlis umumi, Jewish elections in the Ottoman Empire
When a Jewish election committee officially appointed Haim Nahum as chief rabbi of the Ottoman Empire, it changed the way Ottoman Jews navigated citizenship, self-governance, and religious authority.
Israel Studies Program
Promoting and encouraging the critical study of the histories, societies, cultures, and politics of the State of Israel
Sephardic Studies Program
World-renowned for the study of Sephardic culture and history, the Sephardic Studies Program features a growing online library and museum, undergraduate and graduate courses, public programs like Ladino Day, and academic conferences.
Graduate Fellowship
Convening students from departments across campus to learn about Jewish Studies and public scholarship.
Stroum Lectures Archive
For over 30 years, the annual Stroum Lectures at the University of Washington have showcased leading scholars in the field.
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