This year’s AJHS Biennial Scholars Conference will be held for the first time in Cleveland, Ohio, from May 31st to June 2nd, 2026.
Cleveland, the home of Superman, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, American Zionist leader Abba Hillel Silver, the pioneering Cleveland Council on Soviet Anti-Semitism, and several innovative projects to repurpose historic urban synagogues. This year’s conference theme Up, Up, and Away!: Rescue and Reinvention in American Jewish History will seek to explore how American Jews have responded to dangers and crises of various kinds by seeking – in the absence of real superheroes – to protect themselves and others, and – like both Clark Kent and his creators – to change themselves, their narratives, and their institutions.
2026 Biennial Conference Chairs:
Shari Rabin and Alanna Cooper
Conference Committee Members:
Samantha Baskind, Matthew Berkman, Tobias Brinkmann, Max Daniel, Jodi Eichler-Levine, Zev Eleff, Sandra Fox, Rachel Kranson, Sean Martin
Conference Schedule Available Early Spring 2026
Early Bird Ticketing Available Through March 19
Full Time Faculty: $210
Adjunct/Postdoc/Retiree: $110
Undergraduate/Graduate Student: $30
Regular Price After March 19
Full Time Faculty: $260
Adjunct/Postdoc/Retiree: $160
Undergraduate/Graduate Student: $40
Hotel Information:
AJHS has placed holds on rooms at several hotels in the Cleveland area.
Courtyard Cleveland University Circle, 2021 Cornell Rd, $175.00 per night (book by Sunday, May 10th) – Booking Link
Glidden House, 1901 Ford Dr, $179.00 per night – Booking Link
Registration:
Early Bird Ticketing Available Through March 19
Full Time Faculty: $210
Adjunct/Postdoc/Retiree: $110
Undergraduate/Graduate Student: $30
Regular Price After March 19
Full Time Faculty: $260
Adjunct/Postdoc/Retiree: $160
Undergraduate/Graduate Student: $40
As a reminder all attendees (except undergrads) are required to be up to date with their Academic Council fees. To become a member or renew please visit our Academic Council page and scroll to the bottom.
Sponsorships:
Thank you to our generous sponsors!
Knapp Family Foundation
Case Western Reserve University
Frankel Center for Judaic Studies, University of Michigan
Jewish Studies Program, University of Pittsburgh
San Francisco State University
Stuart and Suzanne Grant Center for the American Jewish Experience, Tulane University
The Michael and Elaine Serling Institute for Jewish Studies, Michigan State University
The NYU Goldstein-Goren Center
Program in Judaic Studies, Princeton University