West Coast Working Group on the Jews of the Maghrib and Middle East

The West Coast Working Group on the Jews of the Maghrib (North Africa) and Middle East will bring together a small interdisciplinary group of faculty and graduate students to engage in deep reading and commentary on a small number (3-4) of works in progress, give and receive intensive mentorship, and brainstorm new directions for the field. This working group initially formed as the California Working Group on the Jews of the Maghrib (North Africa) and Middle East (CalJeMM), which holds a twice-annual workshop, and has expanded, over the past several years, to include scholars from the University of Washington in addition to those from across California. CalJeMM's interest in expanding its list of host institutions beyond California for the first time speaks to the vibrancy and strong reputation of the work at UW and presents an opportunity to strengthen West Coast regional ties.