Jews of Algeria: French, Indigenous, or both?

Thursday, June 20

USA 12:00 pm PT / 3:00 pm ET

UK 8:00 pm / France 09:00 pm / Israel 10:00 pm

The talk will last approximately 90 minutes

About this talk

Join us for an overview of the history of Jews of Algeria before, during, and after the French presence there.

Sixty years have passed since the mass exodus of 130,000 Jews from Algeria. Of the 850,000 who fled Arab countries, the Jews of Algeria were unusual: they held French nationality, although the community was indigenous.

In recent years, many former Algerian Jews have spoken out about their mid-century exclusion from their generational homes. Was there something inherently antisemitic about Muslim culture in Algeria? Or were Jews and Muslims part of a shared brotherhood, who were divided by the French colonial government?

In this talk, we will discuss some of these issues while learning about the unique history and culture of the Algerian Jews.

About Jessica

Dr. Jessica Hammerman is an associate professor of world history at Central Oregon Community College in Bend, Oregon. She has published several chapters and articles featuring her research on the history of Algerian Jews before and since French decolonization.

Choose your contribution amount

With your contribution, you will also be donating to the American Sephardi Federation, which preserves and promotes the history, traditions, and rich mosaic culture of Greater Sephardic communities as an integral part of the Jewish experience.

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General admission

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$18

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$9

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