Under the auspices of the EAJC, the Sefer Center will host an international academic conference.

The Sefer Center for University Teaching of Jewish Civilization, in cooperation with the Center for Slavic-Jewish Studies of the Institute of Slavic Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, will hold an international academic conference, "'The End of Times' in the Slavic and Jewish Cultural Traditions," on December 7-9. According to the organizers, the event, which is supported by the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC), represents "the next phase of a long-term project on the comparative study of Jewish and Slavic cultures." The conference will also involve various academic and public organizations interested in intercultural dialogue.

The organizers note that this annual conference, part of the cycle "The Culture of Slavs and the Culture of Jews: Dialogue, Similarities, and Differences," is dedicated to eschatology as a significant aspect of cosmogony. It addresses literary and folk perceptions of the "end of times," the end of the world, impending omens, the coming of the Messiah, the Last Judgment, and the future fate of humanity. Eschatological themes are reflected in ancient and medieval texts, literature, folklore, and iconography. Apocalypse motifs and imagery constitute an integral part of the "oral history" of the modern and contemporary eras, influencing the interpretation of historical events, social upheavals, military conflicts, as well as natural and anthropogenic disasters.

Based on various sources (historical, literary, folkloric, and visual), conference participants will discuss not only the semantics and symbolism of eschatological narratives and motifs, but will also analyze the mechanisms employed by elite and traditional cultures in preparing for the "end of times," aimed at preserving universal human values in the world to come.

The conference is interdisciplinary in nature; proposals from historians, philologists, folklorists, and ethnographers addressing the comparative aspects of these issues are welcome.

Those wishing to participate in the conference may submit an application with the title and abstract of their presentation (up to 500 words) by October 18, 2022, via the designated form.

The selection of participants will be completed by November 1, 2022.

Further details about the event are available on the website of the Institute of Slavic Studies of the RAS.

The Sefer Center was established in 1994 to facilitate academic research in Jewish studies and the instruction of Jewish disciplines in universities, and to provide comprehensive support to undergraduate, graduate, and academic researchers in studying various facets of Jewish civilization. The Center unites all individuals involved in the study of Jewish civilization. Shortly after its founding, the organization became a full member of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress.