“Latinos & Jews: A Conference on Historical and Contemporary Connections” will uncover the often forgotten cultural, social and political ties that have existed between Latinos and Jews for more than 500 years, since Sephardic Jews fled the Spanish Inquisition and settled in Mexico. Featuring experts from across the Southwestern U.S., panel discussions will reveal the interwoven history of Latinos and Jews – including their cultural imprint in Los Angeles’s Boyle Heights area, Latinos of Jewish heritage living in New Mexico, and the common interests of their current political agendas.

The event is sponsored by UCI’s Center for Research on Latinos in a Global Society and the American Jewish Committee.

Agenda

9 a.m.:
Welcome

9:30-11:30 a.m.:
“Hidden Connections: New Mexico and Colonial Migration,” moderated by Leo Chavez, professor of anthropology and director of Chicano/Latino studies, UCI; with Daniel Schroeter, Teller Family Chair in Jewish History, UCI; Stanley M. Hordes, adjunct research professor, Latin American Institute, University of New Mexico; and Carlos Vélez-Ibañez, chair of Chicano studies, Arizona State University.

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.:
Lunch break

1-2:45 p.m.:
“Boyle Heights and Los Angeles, 1930-1950 Connections,” moderated by Vicki Ruiz, professor of Chicano/Latino studies, UCI; with George Sánchez, professor of history and American studies and ethnicity, University of Southern California; Kenneth C. Burt, political director, California Federation of Teachers; Shana Bernstein, assistant professor of history, Southwestern University, Texas; and Steve Sass, president, Jewish Historical Society of Southern California.

3-4:15 p.m.:
“Contemporary Connections: Politics, Education, Immigration,” moderated by Jacobo Sefamí, professor of Spanish and Portuguese, UCI; with Arturo Vargas, executive director, National Association of Latino Elected Officials; Louis DeSipio, associate professor of political science and Chicano/Latino studies, UCI; and Steve Windmeuller, director, School of Jewish Communal Service, Hebrew Union College, Los Angeles; and Dina Siegel Vann, director, American Jewish Committee’s Latino and Latin American Institute, Washington, D.C.