AJS Review-The Journal of the Association for Jewish Studies

Scope & Guideline

Exploring Jewish Narratives and Heritage with Scholarly Precision

Introduction

Welcome to the AJS Review-The Journal of the Association for Jewish Studies information hub, where our guidelines provide a wealth of knowledge about the journal’s focus and academic contributions. This page includes an extensive look at the aims and scope of AJS Review-The Journal of the Association for Jewish Studies, highlighting trending and emerging areas of study. We also examine declining topics to offer insight into academic interest shifts. Our curated list of highly cited topics and recent publications is part of our effort to guide scholars, using these guidelines to stay ahead in their research endeavors.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN0364-0094
PublisherUNIV PENNSYLVANIA PRESS
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1976 to 1982, from 1984 to 1999, from 2001 to 2024
AbbreviationAJS REV / AJS Rev.
Frequency2 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressJOURNALS DIVISION, 3905 SPRUCE STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19104

Aims and Scopes

AJS Review is dedicated to advancing the understanding of Jewish studies through scholarly research that encompasses a wide range of topics relevant to Jewish history, culture, and thought. The journal aims to provide a platform for innovative research and critical discourse that reflects the complexity and diversity of Jewish experiences across different contexts and time periods.
  1. Jewish History and Identity:
    The journal focuses on the historical narratives and experiences of Jewish communities, exploring their cultural, social, and political developments across various regions, including Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East.
  2. Interdisciplinary Approaches:
    AJS Review employs interdisciplinary methodologies, integrating insights from history, literature, sociology, religious studies, and cultural studies to enrich the understanding of Jewish life and thought.
  3. Contemporary Jewish Thought:
    The journal examines modern Jewish thought, including philosophical inquiries, ethical discussions, and the intersection of Jewish identity with contemporary issues such as nationalism, diaspora, and multiculturalism.
  4. Critical Engagement with Texts:
    A significant emphasis is placed on textual analysis, including rabbinic literature, biblical exegesis, and modern Jewish writings, to uncover deeper insights into Jewish intellectual traditions and their evolution.
  5. Cultural Expressions and Representations:
    The journal explores the various forms of cultural expression within Jewish communities, including literature, art, music, and performance, and how these reflect and shape Jewish identities.
In recent years, AJS Review has witnessed the emergence of several new themes that reflect changing scholarly interests and societal dynamics. These trends indicate a vibrant and evolving field of Jewish studies that engages with contemporary issues and interdisciplinary approaches.
  1. Gender and Jewish Identity:
    There is a growing emphasis on gender studies within Jewish contexts, exploring how gender identity intersects with Jewish life, culture, and religious practices, reflecting broader societal conversations about gender.
  2. Global Jewish Experiences:
    Recent publications increasingly focus on the diverse experiences of Jewish communities worldwide, reflecting a trend towards examining Jewish identity in a globalized context, including diasporic studies and transnational narratives.
  3. Jewish Responses to Modernity:
    The journal has seen an uptick in articles analyzing Jewish thought and practice in response to modernity, including discussions on secularism, assimilation, and the redefinition of Jewish identity in contemporary society.
  4. Cultural Memory and Representation:
    There is an emerging interest in how Jewish culture is represented in various media, including film, literature, and visual arts, highlighting the role of cultural memory in shaping Jewish identity and collective narratives.
  5. Historical Reappraisals:
    Recent themes include critical reexaminations of historical events and figures within Jewish history, challenging established narratives and seeking to uncover marginalized voices and perspectives.

Declining or Waning

While AJS Review continues to cover a broad spectrum of Jewish studies, certain themes appear to be receiving less emphasis in recent publications. This decline may reflect shifts in academic focus or changes in the interests of the scholarly community.
  1. Traditional Rabbinic Literature:
    There has been a noticeable decrease in articles focused specifically on traditional rabbinic literature and its historical contexts, suggesting a shift towards more contemporary or interdisciplinary themes.
  2. Jewish Mysticism and Kabbalah:
    Research on Jewish mysticism, particularly Kabbalah, appears to be waning, as fewer articles engage with its historical development or contemporary relevance compared to previous years.
  3. Jewish Life in Eastern Europe:
    The focus on Eastern European Jewish life, particularly in historical contexts prior to the Holocaust, seems to be less prominent, indicating a potential shift towards more global or diasporic perspectives.
  4. Jewish-Christian Relations:
    Although still a relevant topic, there seems to be a decline in the frequency of articles examining Jewish-Christian dialogues and their historical implications, possibly reflecting a broader trend towards intra-Jewish studies.
  5. The Holocaust and Memory Studies:
    While still a critical area of research, there is a perception that articles specifically centered on Holocaust memory and its implications have decreased, potentially indicating a shift towards examining broader themes of Jewish identity and experience.

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