On February 11th, special guest speaker Dr. Deby Roitman, Strategic Advisor at Universidad Hebraica, Mexico, and Advisor at the Museo Judio Interactivo de Chile presented her intriguing lecture “Jewish Identifiers: Reflections on Latin American Jewish Identity,” where she discussed the multifaceted aspects of Latin American Jewish identity.

Dr. Roitman’s presentation was divided into two sections. The first part of the discussion focused on the key concepts of identity and identifiers and the elements of each term help to shape a particular collective distinctiveness.

Dr. Roitman defines identity as the capacity by which groups differ and are differentiated from others. She emphasized identity as a dynamic process that is constantly changing and is dependent upon certain variables including circumstances particular to time and the context of the situation to name a few. Whereas, identifiers can be described as specific characteristics shared by a collective group. Dr. Roitman highlighted five distinct identifiers of Jewish identity, each of which, in themselves contain understandings pertaining to its designation, and that all collective groups have different methods of expressing their own unique identity, as well as choosing which elements or values are most important to them.

The first identifier, religion, is an element with several universal precepts including monotheism and the Covenant with God as two key structural aspects. Different Judaic religious denominations with varying degrees of observance are included in a group’s identity.

The second element is tradition, which encompasses Jewish education, community life, Hebrew language, and a sense of belonging. Dr. Roitman pointed out that it is important to note the differences between secular and cultural value systems define how each group interprets and prioritizes traditional cultural activities within the collective whole.

The third identifier is Peoplehood, which has similar elements to tradition in terms of focus on community and Jewish education, but the key difference in this respect is a shared sense of belonging as the cornerstone of understanding and extends to the entire group as a ‘family.’

The fourth element is Israel, whose meaning represents the promised land, aliyah, and Zionism.

The fifth and final identifier is the Shoah, which forms the foundation of collective Jewish memory and identity, by preserving the memory of the Holocaust and promoting solidarity through the endeavor to ensure “Never Again.”

The second portion of Dr. Roitman’s lecture was a reflection on Latin American Jewish identity, including a brief summarization of the historical origins of Latin American Jewish communities. Jewish migration from Europe before, during, and after the Second World War brought a diverse range of Jewish communities. Dr. Roitman explained that broadly speaking, Latin American Jewish identity can be described as “ethnic/community groups” that originated from three different ethnicities. They include the Askenazism from Eastern Europe, the Sephardim, who fled the declining Ottoman Empire and Balkan regions, and the Edot Amig Roch (Eastern Jews) from North Africa and the Middle East.

Among the three ethnicities, Dr. Roiman outlined three central elements of Latin American Jewry. The first is the ethnic element, which is defined by communities of ethnic origin, based on geographic locations. Within this element, there is increasing integration with ethnic groups and strong familial ties. The ethnic element reflects all five of the Jewish identifiers (religion, tradition, peoplehood, Israel, and the Holocaust).

The second central element is culture, in which Jewish education is of the utmost importance. The development of cultural institutions, including Jewish day schools and youth movements form the core of this element. Important to note is the “uncentrality of the synagogue” in which education stems primarily from day schools rather than synagogue-based religious instructuion. There are both secular and religious day schools. Dr. Roitman stressed that in the past 20-25 years there has been a religious revival driven by the younger generations, where a return to more religiously observant Judaism has grown in popularity.

The third is the national element, which focuses on Israel and aliyah. Many institutions in Latin America are founded on Zionist ideology, and Zionist youth movements have increased in size and popularity, and this can be seen by the many Latin American Jews who are Hebrew speaking. The national element reflects overlapping Jewish identifiers including Israel, Peoplehood, and religion.

Dr. Roitman concluded her lecture by emphasizing that cultural recognition is a determining factor that defines the specific features of Latin American Jewish collective identity.

Founded in 1970 by Franklin H. Littell and Hubert G. Locke, the Annual Scholars' Conference provides an invaluable forum for scholars to discuss and advance Holocaust research, ensuring the valuable lessons of the Holocaust remain relevant for today’s world.

Please join us on March 7th as we continue the important legacy established by Franklin H. Littell and Hubert G. Locke more than fifty years ago. Rather than a traditional multi-day conference, this year’s ASC will feature three distinguished speakers that will address the past, present, and future of Holocaust studies.

11am CST – Ackerman Center Distinguished Lecture:
Dr. Yehuda Bauer, "Denial and Distortion of Holocaust Memory"

Professor Emeritus of History and Holocaust Studies at the Avraham Harman Institute of Contemporary Jewry at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Academic Advisor to Yad Vashem.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

2pm CST – Michael and Elaine Jaffe Lecture:
Dr. Mehnaz Afridi, "Shoah Through Muslim Eyes"

Director/HGI, Holocaust, Genocide & Interfaith Education Center, Manhattan College
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

5pm CST – Mitchell L. and Miriam Lewis Barnett Lecture:
Pieter Kohnstam, "A Chance to Live: A Family's Journey to Freedom"

Holocaust survivor and member of the Board of Directors for The Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

All lectures are free of charge, but pre-registration is requested.

Please join us for our annual Spring Lecture Series. You can find more information regarding each lecture and register for these and other events by visiting our events webpage.

The Ackerman Center began commemorating Holocaust Remembrance Day, or Yom HaShoah, in 2016 by having students, staff, faculty, and members of the community recite poems in various languages. This year's event will again be held virtually. Please check the event's webpage for highlights from previous years and updates about the details for this year as they develop.

If interested in participating by reading a poem or prose excerpt in any language, please contact cynthia.rogers@utdallas.edu.

Season 2 of the Ackerman Center Podcast began at the end of January. Each episode will focus on a specific event of the early years of the Third Reich.

Upcoming Spring Podcast Episodes: Season 2:

Jan. 31: 1933 | The Reichstag Fire and the Enabling Act

Feb. 28: 1934 | Hitler and Mussolini meet in Venice

Mar. 28: 1935 | Nuremberg Laws

April 25: 1936 | The Olympics in Berlin

*May 30:1937 | The Pacific War: The Rape of Nanking -and-

1938 | Eichmann and the “Office of Jewish Emigration”

All past and future episodes are available for streaming on the podcast's website and other streaming platforms.

*Note: the season finale on May 30th will have two episodes.