Dr. Ethan Katz at FPL with Discussion on Jewish-Muslim Relations
The Fayetteville Public Library will host historian, Dr. Ethan Katz, for a discussion on Jewish-Muslim relations and of his latest book, The Burdens of Brotherhood: Jews and Muslims from North Africa to France, on Sunday, March 6 from 3 pm to 5 
pm in the Walker Community Room.
In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in France last year, much attention has been given to the relationship between Muslims and Jews. Headlines from France suggest Muslims have renewed an age-old struggle against Jews and that the two groups are once more at odds. Katz, an Associate Professor of History and Affiliated Professor of Judaic Studies at the University of Cincinnati, says the past tells us a different story.
His new book, The Burdens of Brotherhood: Jews and Muslims from North Africa to France published by Harvard University Press, describes the history of the relations between France’s Jews and Muslims from World War I until the present. There were times in history when Jews and Muslims interacted as fellow immigrants instead of as members of opposing ethnic groups. He looks at the experiences of ordinary people to show how relations between Jews and Muslims were shaped by everyday encounters and by perceptions of their collective similarities and differences. Gradually things became more politicized, which lead to riots and strained relations.
Dr. Katz’s visit is sponsored by the Jewish Studies Program at the University of Arkansas and the Jewish Federation of Arkansas. He will also speak at Temple Shalom on Sunday, March 6, at 7pm, and at the University of Arkansas on Monday, March 7, at 4:30pm in the Honors College Auditorium in Gearhart Hall.
Books will be available for purchase and signing following his talk.
Nancy Hartney
Nancy Hartney writes fiction, short stories, poetry, and non-fiction articles. Her full bio can be found at NancyHartney.com.