The Association for Canadian Jewish Studies / l’Association d’études juives canadiennes is the first and only scholarly organization to promote and disseminate research that illuminates the Canadian Jewish experience.
As a national group, we bring together academics, students, professionals, artists, and others interested in the study of Jewish experience from coast to coast to coast and across multiple disciplines, including history, literature, sociology, religion, music, and art.
Founded in 1976 as the Canadian Jewish Historical Society / Société d’histoire juive canadiennes, the society’s original aim was to promote and disseminate historical research concerning the engagement of Jews to Canadian society. Following the launch of an annual journal, Canadian Jewish Studies / Études juives canadiennes, in 1993, the society changed its name to the Association for Canadian Jewish Studies / l’Association d’études juives canadiennes in 1996. This visionary move reflected a keen awareness of the expanding disciplinary scope of scholars studying Canadian Jewry, not to mention the desire to renew the field for a rising generation of students and scholars working in both English and French.
The ACJS proudly publishes the one-of-a-kind multidisciplinary, open-access journal Canadian Jewish Studies / Études juives canadiennes, hosts an annual scholarly conference featuring cutting-edge research on Canadian Jewry, stages community events throughout the year, and maintains a vital relationship with Canada’s Jewish communities, including students on the country’s campuses, numerous local Jewish historical societies, and archival institutions.
Through grant funding and professional development opportunities we support writers and thinkers of all ages, including undergraduate and graduate students studying Canadian Jewish culture and history at universities around the world.
We remain as committed as ever to investing in the study of Canada’s Jewish community—where it came from, where it is now, and where it is going.
The ACJS invites anyone with an interest in the Canadian Jewish experience to join our association and participate in our programming.