Emeritus professor Joe Butwin remembers UW Jewish Studies founder Edward Alexander
Joe Butwin, professor emeritus, remembers his friend and longtime colleague at the University of Washington, Edward Alexander.
How contributions from Christopher Columbus’ Sephardic astronomer illustrate complex legacies of exploration and conquest
You’ve probably heard of Christopher Columbus, but have you heard of the Sephardic astronomer who helped him chart his course across the seas?
VIDEO | Insights into a Half-Centry of Ladino Studies: David Bunis in conversation with Devin Naar
In a virtual conversation, Devin Naar interviews David Bunis about his path to becoming the leading authority in the Ladino language after beginning as a Yiddish linguist, and inquires on the fate of Ladino today.
This year, pianist Renan Koen will lead Seattle’s Sephardic Holocaust memorial from Istanbul’s historic Italian synagogue
Pianist Renan Koen on her family history, her career, and what drew her to music composed during the Holocaust.
Sephardic Jews in Turkey were told to assimilate. Today’s generation is reclaiming its identity through the Ladino language
For student Nesi Altaras, studying Ladino isn't only about learning the language of his family: it means reversing an assimilationist agenda against Turkish Jews that began in the 20th century — and continues today.
Learning from the history of Ottoman Jews & 19th-century cholera outbreaks during COVID-19
Grad fellow Canan Bolel explains the unfortunate parallels between responses to 19th-century cholera outbreaks in Ottoman Izmir (present-day Turkey) — especially for Jewish communities— and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Celebrating 2019-2020 graduates of Jewish Studies
Presenting the 2020 Stroum Center for Jewish Studies graduates!
For some descendants of Sephardic Jews who were forced to convert, learning the Ladino language is an act of restitution
Student Victor Alejandro Castillo shares the importance of Ladino for those of "converso" (converted Jewish) descent.