AJS Gatherings are social conference events hosted in select locations around the world by a number of institutions in collaboration with the AJS. All Gathering events will take place on Sunday December 15, 2024. AJS hosting institutions will open their doors for AJS members, conference attendees, and guests, for cultural and social events and light food. Click on a specific Gathering location to learn more about what that site will be offering.

Any current AJS member or conference attendees can attend for free. Non-conference registrants, including spouses/significant others, may also RSVP for free but must have some connection to the world of Jewish Studies. Events are not open to the general public. Infants and children are not allowed at Gathering events, but please see below on applying for a Dependent Caregiver grant if you need financial help for caregiver coverage to attend.

Unlikely! When the AJS has run happy hour networking events in various cities, attendees have been pleasantly surprised by how many other scholars in their community they didn’t yet know.

AJS Around the Table events are small home hospitality meals that will be taking place between Wednesday December 11 through Thursday December 19 at locations all over the globe. These food-based events will be hosted by fellow members (read on about how to host) and will be intimate meals for approximately 6-12 people.

While we encourage hosts to think of these events as home-hospitality meals with friends, hosts could hold picnics (if you live in a warmer climate), get togethers in a condo/apartment clubhouse/private event space, or a private event space on campus. We encourage hosts to be creative with their events: maybe there are games, a taco bar, food and wine pairings, locally sourced foods, or themed events (by subject matter, outside interest, language, global cuisine.) In short, let your personality shine through.

There is no cost to attend. These events are part of the conference experience and are free to conference participants and AJS members.

Anyone who has been a member since 2023, any presenter at this year’s conference, or any institutional member is welcome to host an event.

We’re thrilled you want to host! Click here to submit an event. Step by step instructions for signing up as host are available here.

You don’t have to be Julia Child or Yotam Ottolenghi to host an event. You can bring in food if you like or also host a potluck. Just indicate that in your event’s details. (Please note, as these events are meant to be free, we’re asking that hosts not charge any sort of fee to attendees.)

While ideally these events will be dinner events, we soon realized, for some of you, “dinnertime” will happen during the conference. So while we encourage you to host a dinnertime activity if possible so it will be the most non-rushed event, feel free to host a breakfast or lunch as well. Log in here to see the conference schedule so you can make sure you’re not scheduling an event in your timezone when sessions might be going on.

As far as what to serve, that’s up to you! We don’t expect Michelin star fine dining (but hey, if you’re a whiz in the kitchen, feel free to show off!). Meals don’t need to be fancy, but maybe something more elevated than pizza.

The AJS recognizes that we have members from all types of backgrounds. Having a kosher home or serving strictly kosher food is not required to host. Rather, we’re asking that, if possible, all events are vegetarian to accommodate for a fairly large cross-section of the AJS community (regardless of whether or not you as a host personally keep kosher). As part of the event form, you can indicate more specific details about your home/event in terms of kosher food, food allergies, etc.

The AJS will be offering a limited number of $100 “Nourishment Grants” for hosts that are hosting at least 6 people at their house. These grants will be paid out via PayPal by December 23. Once you set up your hosted event, you’ll receive an email with a link to apply for a nourishment grant. Alternatively, the nourishment grant application is available here. Preference for grants will be given to hosts in locations that are not near AJS Gathering sites.

These events are designed for AJS members as a way of offering community and connection similar to what conference attendees would experience. As space for these events is limited, AJS Around the Table events are not intended for spouses, significant others, or children. AJS staff, along with event hosts, will review each guest list to confirm attendance eligibility.

Well, technically, it’s your house and you can invite anyone you like, but we hope that in the spirit of building new community that you allow the majority of spaces for people who you don’t know. After all, we hope that you’ll make new friends and colleagues by hosting an event.

While you will not be able to bring the person as a +1, you should encourage the colleague to create their own account and RSVP. Where space is limited, AJS members may be given priority access.

Unfortunately not. Given the limited number of spaces and the desire to build Jewish Studies community, we’re limiting attendance to individuals who work in some way in Jewish Studies.

The conference community is made up of long-time friends and individuals with whom you are newly acquainted. 

• • Consider extending an invitation to those outside of your usual circle of friends/colleagues

• • Consider a theme or reason for getting together

• • Think about how many guests you wish to host.

• • Indicate whether alcohol will be served and the type of food that will be offered. (kosher-style vegetarian, vegan, etc.) Consider, also, if you are able to accommodate other dietary restrictions (common allergens, gluten free, etc).

• • Be mindful: scented candles, background music, and lighting can be enjoyable to some and overstimulating to others. 

• • Prepare question prompts or discussion topics in an effort to connect people and to help your guests build relationships

• • Introduce guests to each other

• • During the event, provide information for each dish that includes the ingredients, allergens, and whether the dish is dairy, pareve, vegetarian, vegan, or pescatarian.

Yes. Funds are disbursed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Click here to apply for a Dependent Caregiver Grant. 

Yes! That said we are not allowing any Around the Table events to happen on December 15 in locations where AJS Gatherings are also scheduled.

• • Consider reaching out to the host if you need more information about the event

• • Check out the guest list in advance

• • Put your phone away

• • Be a great listener

• • Seek out new people to talk to

• • Communicate respectfully and calmly