Latino and Sephardic Expert to Lecture at UAlbany

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Professor Aviva Ben-Ur of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, will speak on "The Hispanic-Sephardic Connection: Jews, Latinos, and the Legacy of Spain in Early Twentieth Century" at UAlbany on Wednesday, April 18.

The lecture, part of the Judaic Studies Department's monthly Lunch-and-Learn Series, will take place from 12 to 2 p.m. the private dining room of the Patroon Room, Campus Center, on the Uptown Campus. The lecture is co-sponsored by the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. The event is open to the public.

Ben-Ur is an assistant professor in the department of Judaic and Near Eastern studies at UMass. An American Jewish historian specializing in Latino and Sephardic studies, she received her Ph.D. from Brandeis University's in 1998, completing a dissertation entitled, "Where Diaspora's Met: Sephardic and Ashkenazic Jews in the City of New York - A Study in Intra-Ethnic Relations, 1880-1950."

She has published a number of articles on Sephardic literature and history, and is currently working on several book projects, including one on the Sephardim of colonial Suriname, South America. In 1999, she received a National Endowment for the Humanities fellowship and during academic year 1999-2000 was the Hazel D. Cole Fellow in Jewish Studies at the University of Washington.

"The Lunch-and-Learn Series is a wonderful way for members of the local Jewish community and scholars to gather and learn together," said Dr. Mark A. Raider, chair of the UAlbany Department of Judaic Studies. He noted that recent speakers have included Allan Arkush of SUNY Binghamton; UAlbany's Daniel Grossberg, Joseph Reimer and Stephen Whitfield of Brandeis University; and Robert S. Wistrich of Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

The cost of the luncheon is $10 per person. Reservations must be made in advance by April 12 by calling 442-4130 or by emailing [email protected]. Checks made payable to "Chartwells" may be sent in advance to Lynne Schaefer, Administrative Assistant, Judaic Studies Department, HU 244, Albany, NY 12222. Checks and cash will also be accepted at the luncheon. Parking will be available in the Main Visitor's Lot located off of Collins Circle, Washington Ave entrance, and the Campus Center Visitor's Lot.

For more information contact the Judaic Studies Department at 442-4130 or visit the website at https://www.albany.edu/judaic_studies.

For more University at Albany information, visit our World Wide Web site at http://www.Albany.edu.

April 3, 2001

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