FIU offers first-ever ‘Jews of Asia and Africa’ class

Two of the world’s leading authorities on Eastern Jewish communities will explore the Jewish experience in Asia and Africa in a new course offered at the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU, located at 301 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach.

Beginning in January, FIU research professors Nathan Katz and Tudor Parfitt will teach the class, “The Jews of Asia and Africa.” The class is open to both degree-seeking FIU students and community members interested in taking it on an auditing basis. The uniquely structured class, which is the first of its kind anywhere, will be the first FIU offering at the Miami Beach museum, which recently joined the FIU family.

The 13-week course will look at the Jewish experience beyond the Sunshine State, which has been the traditional focus of the museum. Among the Jewish populations to be explored include the Lemba of Zimbabwe, the Beta Israel of Ethiopia, and the Ibo of Nigeria. Asian communities include the Jews of Kochi, Mumbai and northeastern tribal peoples of India; Shanghai, China, a home in the 19th century to Sephardic Jews seeking business opportunities and refuge in the 1930s-40s to European Jews fleeing Nazi persecution; and a “Judaizing” movement in Papua New Guinea.

For students to gain different viewpoints, the class will feature guest speakers, including a visiting member of Zimbabwe’s Lemba Jewish community, and employ different methodologies, from genetic anthropology to participant/observation findings.

Prior to joining FIU earlier this year, Parfitt was director of the Jewish Studies Center at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London. He has been dubbed “Britain’s Indiana Jones” for his pursuit of the Ark of the Covenant and his discoveries of remote Jewish communities.

Katz, who is Bhagwan Mahavir Professor of Jain Studies and director of FIU’s Program in the Study of Spirituality, spent many years living in South Asia. A recipient of four Fulbright research and teaching awards, he has played an influential role in interreligious dialogues between Jews and Hindus, Buddhists and Jains.

Registration for degree-seeking FIU students is Nov. 5-18. Community members who want to audit the class should contact the Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education at 305-576-4030, ext. 128, or carlaspector@caje-miami.org. Cost is $295.