Background and Rationale

The historical relationship between the Jewish world and the Persianate—encompassing contemporary Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asian communities - has spanned over two and a half millennia. From the Biblical era of Cyrus the Great, who allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Second Temple, to the vibrant Jewish communities in Persian lands under various empires and their eventual migrations, this relationship has been complex, dynamic, and deeply influential.

The Persianate world, extending beyond Iran into Central and South Asia, has played a significant role in shaping Jewish political, religious, and cultural identities. Jewish communities flourished under the Achaemenid, Sassanian, and Islamic empires, contributing to the broader intellectual and economic landscapes of these civilizations. In modern times, the relationship has been marked by shifting political dynamics, particularly with the establishment of the State of Israel, Iran's Islamic Revolution, Islamists' ascendency in Afghanistan, and the collapse of the Soviet Union.

In partnership with its US partners, the Afghan Institute for Strategic Studies (AISS) plans to organise an academic conference on “The Jewish World and the Persianate World: History, People, Politics” This conference seeks to explore the deep interconnections between Jewish and Persianate histories, examining religious exchanges, political alliances and conflicts, cultural contributions, and contemporary geopolitical realities.

Themes and Topics

The conference will cover a range of interdisciplinary themes, including:

1. Historical Encounters and Cultural Exchange
   • The role of Cyrus the Great and the Persian Empire in Jewish history.
   • Jewish communities under the Sassanian Empire and their interactions with Zoroastrianism.
   • Judeo-Persian literature and cultural syncretism.
   • Jewish merchants, trade networks, and their role in Persianate economies.
2. Political and Religious Dynamics
   • Jewish communities under Islamic Persianate empires: Safavid, Qajar, and others.
   • Shi’a Islam and Jewish minorities: legal, social, and theological perspectives.
   • The impact of European colonialism and modernity on Persianate Jewry.
   • The Jewish role in Persian court politics and diplomacy.
3. Modernity, Zionism, and Geopolitical Shifts
   • The Jewish communities in Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asian states before and after Iran's Islamic Revolution (1979) and Afghanistan's Islamist insurgency and the rise and disintegration of the Soviet Union.
   • Iranian, Afghan, and Uzbek Jews in Israel and the diaspora: identity and adaptation.
   • Iran-Israel relations: historical ties, ruptures, and contemporary diplomacy.
   • The Afghan Mujahideen groups, including the Taliban's approach to the Israel-Arab conflict.
   • Persianate influences on Jewish thought, mysticism, and philosophy.
4. Contemporary and Future Perspectives
   • The role of Jewish-Persian heritage in contemporary cultural and political discourse.
   • Prospects for Jewish-Persian academic and cultural cooperation.
   • Interfaith dialogue between Jewish and Iranian/Persian-speaking religious communities.
   • The impact of contemporary Middle Eastern politics on Jewish-Persian relations.

Objectives

This conference aims to:

1. Deepen Academic Understanding – Provide a scholarly platform for historians, political scientists, theologians, and cultural experts to discuss the Jewish-Persianate relationship.
2. Foster Dialogue – Encourage discussions among scholars, policymakers, and community leaders on historical and contemporary issues.
3. Promote Cultural Exchange – Highlight the shared heritage and mutual influences between Jewish and Persianate civilizations.
4. Inform Policy and Diplomacy – Offer insights that may contribute to more nuanced diplomatic and interfaith engagements.

Format and Participants

The conference will feature:

• Keynote lectures from leading scholars in Jewish and Persianate studies
• Panel discussions on historical, religious, and political themes
• Workshops on primary sources, such as Judeo-Persian manuscripts and historical texts
• Roundtable discussions involving policy makers, religious leaders, and cultural figures
• Film screenings, book reviews, and cultural exhibitions showcasing Persian-Jewish heritage

Expected Outcomes

• A publication of selected conference papers in an academic journal or edited volume
• Increased scholarly collaboration on Jewish-Persianate studies
• Enhanced public and academic awareness of the deep-rooted connections between these civilizations
• Potential policy recommendations for contemporary Middle Eastern and diaspora relations

Conclusion

By revisiting the intricate historical, religious, and political interactions between the Jewish world and the Persianate, this conference seeks to enrich academic discourse and contribute to contemporary cultural and geopolitical understanding. This gathering will serve as a bridge between past and present, scholarship and policy, and diverse communities with shared histories.