Colloquium 2012

April 20-22, 2012 at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, in cooperation with Newberger Hillel at the University of Chicago and Fiedler Hillel at Northwestern University

How will the heirs of intermarriage change Judaism?
Can you be "Jewish and" rather than "Jewish or"?
Can the Jewish world handle "half-Jewish"?
Is being "half-Jewish" no big deal anymore?

"Half Jewish?" is crucial to the future of American Judaism–an opportunity and a challenge. For two decades, half of the marriages involving Jews have been intercultural. Their children are now young adults, choosing their own identities. Who are they? How do they relate to being Jewish, and to both sides of their families? Is "half Jewish" like "half pregnant," or can the Jewish world accept multiple identities in an open tent?

Secular Humanistic Judaism has served intercultural families with dignity, respect and understanding for decades. Our cultural Jewish identity meets the needs of many in this diverse community. The IISHJ's Colloquium 2012: "Half Jewish?" The Heirs of Intermarriage will be a fascinating exploration of the future of the Jewish people.

Online Registration Now Open

For more information on prices or to register online, please visit our Online Registration.

To receive a printed registration brochure, please download a PDF version or contact our office - you can email info@iishj.org or call 847-777-6907 (10am-4pm Central US time).

Lodging Information

Discounted Colloquium hotel rates are available at:

The Hilton Garden Inn
1818 Maple Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201

One block to Chicago-area public transportation, adjacent to the Northwestern University Campus (on-campus parking passes will be available with registrations). Reservations with the group rate must be made by March 27, 2012.

Call direct at 847-475-6400 (toll free: 1-877-STAY-HGI) - identify yourself as "Colloquium 2012." Or Book online at www.evanston.hgi.com —enter group code CQM for the discounted group rate.

Confirmed Presenters

Rabbi Adam Chalom

Dean for North America of the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism and Rabbi of Kol Hadash Humanistic Congregation in north suburban Chicago, IL. Editor of Jews and the Muslim World: Solving the Puzzle and contributor to the Chicago Tribune's Religion Blog "The Seeker", Rabbi Chalom is one of the leaders of world-wide Secular Humanistic Judaism.

Professor Lynn Davidman

Robert M. Beren Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Religious Studies at the University of Kansas. Author of Tradition in a Rootless World: Women Turn to Orthodox Judaism and co-editor of Feminist Perspectives in Jewish Studies. Her recent research has specialized on unaffiliated Jews and race and Jewish identity.

Maya Escobar

Latina-Jewish artist, Internet curator, activist and educator. Art exhibited in Israel, Chile, Germany, and the United States. Former Online Art Editor for Zeek: A Jewish Journal of Thought and Culture, currently Creative Director and Director of Member Engagement at New Futuro in Chicago, Illinois.

Paul Golin

Associate Executive Director of Jewish Outreach Institute. Co-author of How to Raise Jewish Children...Even When You're Not Jewish Yourself (2010). Board member of the Jewish Multiracial Network.

Dan Libenson

Executive Director of the University of Chicago's Newberger Hillel Center. An AVI CHAI fellow in 2009, he previously taught law at the University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis, MN. He has also been named a Richard M. Joel Exemplar of Excellence, International Hillel's highest professional award.

Rabbi Sivan Malkin Maas

The first Israeli rabbi ordained by the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism. She is Dean of Tmura-IISHJ in Jerusalem and director of "The Secular Library," publishing works on Judaism as culture. She has previously run a kibbutz educational system, and served as a Jewish Agency emissary to the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit.

Yoni Sarason

Midwest Regional Director of Birthright Israel NEXT. Yoni has been involved in a variety of outreach efforts for many years, including the St. Louis Moishe House, Next Dor St. Louis, and the young adult blog The St. Lou Jew.

One, Both or Neither: "Half Jewish" Experiences
Panel discussion with several "heirs of intermarriage," including voices from The Half-Jewish Network, Jews in All Hues, and The Chicago Interfaith Family School.