Bridging Divides: Inside CURA’s Landmark Conference on the Jewish Left
The Institute on Culture, Religion, and World Affairs (CURA) at Boston University’s Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies hosted its Second Annual Conference on the Jewish Left on February 28, 2025. Since its launch in 2024, the conference has quickly become an important space for discussions on Jewish intellectual and political issues, bringing together academics, activists, and cultural figures. The conference attracted 325 people in person, 358 people online from 18 different countries, and brought in faculty and students from over 70 universities around the globe.
The day’s agenda was ambitious yet engaging, featuring a lineup of influential voices in Jewish thought and politics. Speakers included Simone Zimmerman, Director of Media & Special Projects for the Diaspora Alliance, who presented “Nakba Denial and the Future of American Judaism.” Omer Bartov, Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Brown University, spoke about “Israel’s War in Gaza and the Question of Genocide,” and Yousef Munayyer, Head of the Palestine/Israel Program at Arab Center Washington DC, delivered a talk titled “Palestine in the Time of Monsters.”
CURA Director Jeremy Menchik, an Associate Professor of International Relations and Political Science, described the event as a response to current political and social challenges:
“At a time of rising authoritarianism, we want to create an educational space that connects academic discussions with the broader community, exploring the Jewish left’s values, institutions, and impact while supporting the next generation of leaders.”
The conference format broke from the traditional lecture model, opting for 20-minute presentations followed by 40-minute interactive discussions, encouraging real dialogue between speakers and attendees. The event also intentionally featured a diverse range of voices-spanning different generations, disciplines, and locations-ensuring a broad and meaningful exchange of ideas.
Grassroots activism was central to the discussions. Audrey Sasson, Executive Director of Jews for Racial & Economic Justice, and Joanna Ware, Founding Executive Director of the Jewish Liberation Fund, shared their experiences working on social justice initiatives, reinforcing the connection between scholarship and real-world organizing.
Feedback from participants showed overwhelming enthusiasm for the event. In post-conference surveys:
– 90% of attendees said they would recommend the conference to colleagues.
– 93% expressed interest in attending again.
– 98% felt the structure of the event was effective.
There was also a notable rise in student participation, with students making up nearly half of attendees, a major jump from the previous year.
The conference ended on a high note with a performance by the Magid Ensemble, a multidisciplinary group that blends Yiddish folklore, klezmer music, and storytelling. The ensemble-featuring Mattias Kaufmann, Raffi Boden, Rachel Leader, storyteller Weaver, and visual artist Kiah Raymond-wove together history, music, and cultural narratives, offering a moving conclusion to the day’s discussions.
As a final moment of reflection, Rabbi Rebecca Zimmerman Hornstein, Executive Director of the Boston Workers Circle, led a joint Shabbat and Ramadan welcome, reinforcing the event’s commitment to interfaith and cross-community dialogue.
Financially, the conference was largely community-funded, with over $50,000 raised through donations, including a $10,000 pledge from a returning attendee for next year’s event. Key supporters included the Krupp Family Foundation, the Jewish Cultural Endowment at Boston University, and the Boston University Center for the Humanities.
More than just an academic gathering, the conference made a clear statement about democracy, identity, and political engagement.
One attendee summed it up best:
“This was a rare opportunity for activists, scholars, and spiritual leaders to come together in a space where we’re often not invited or able to meet.”
In a time of increasing political division, CURA’s Conference on the Jewish Left stood out as a model for thoughtful, open dialogue that embraces complexity rather than polarization.
For more information, visit the conference website.