Mexico City is home to a vibrant Jewish population that includes Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Halebi (Aleppan) and Shami (Damascene/Beiruti) sectors. These categories have long organized local Jewish life. However, young people in the 21st face unique challenges as they make decisions about their education, marriage and religiosity amidst changing social and economic tides. In this context, how and why do young Shami- and Halebi-Mexicans decide to perpetuate their distinctive, “Arab-Jewish” identities? How is this accomplished in their everyday lives?  What might this tell us about the future of Jewish Latin America?

In this presentation, Dr. Dean-Olmsted presents on research conducted since 2006, including a year spent living and participating in Jewish Mexican communities in 2008-2009. She analyzes audiovisual recordings of interactions across multiple contexts, toward understanding how Shami- and Halebi-Mexicans use language– including words from Hebrew and Arabic, and a healthy dose oral humor – in ways that allow them to both construct unique identities and forge connections in the wider world.

Admission Free for JMOF-FIU members, Free for FIU Students, Staff and Faculty. Non-Members $5.00