Scripturalizing Jewishness through Blackness
June 24, 2025ISS Annual Meeting, 2026
Seminar Theme: Diaspora
Dates: February 5-7, 2026
Site: The University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa)
MEETING DESCRIPTION
The Institute for Signifying Scriptures will convene for a seminar on the social rupture known as “diaspora.” From ancient contexts to contemporary strivings, diaspora challenges us to frame the tensions of social displacement and communal belonging. Participants will explore how human beings make sense of themselves, others, and their surrounding worlds after the violence of dispersion. Through museum exhibitions, guided historical tours, and critical discussion, our circle will consider scripturalization as historical erasure, cultural (re)formation, and technology of difference-making. This will be an amazing event for professional scholars, graduate students, and thoughtful persons interested in critical exchange.
SEMINAR TEXT
Stephen Best
None Like Us: Blackness, Belonging, Aesthetic Life
(Duke University Press, 2018)
REGISTRATION
In-person registration: $100 which includes the following:
-Breakfast, lunch, and refreshments on Friday 2/6 and Saturday 2/7
-Closing dinner on Saturday evening 2/7
-Group airport transportation on Thursday 2/5 and Sunday 2/8
Online registration: $50
-includes participation in meeting sessions and conversations
TRAVEL/TRANSPORT INFORMATION
Participants will need to fly to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) on Thursday 2/5. Because this mid-sized airport is located roughly an hour’s drive from Tuscaloosa, ISS will arrange shared ground transportation for participants to Tuscaloosa on Thursday 2/5, and back to the airport on Sunday, 2/8. This will involve some waiting. Should participants not wish to wait for provided transport, they can make their own arrangements accordingly.
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
Hotel Capstone has provided ISS a special rate of $139+tax / night for rooms. It is a small, university-managed conference hotel in walking distance (<1 mile) of our meeting site. Parking is included. For reservations, please use the information below.
BLOCK NAME: Institute for Signifying Scriptures
BLOCK DATES: 02/05/26 – 02/08/26
LAST DAY TO BOOK IN BLOCK: 01/06/26
Traditional Room Rate – $139+tax / night
How to use the hotel reservation link:
- Click on the “reserve your hotel room” link above to open the Hotel Capstone reservation page in a new window.
- Choose your date of arrival by clicking on that date in “Check-in” and your departure date in “Check-out,” then select “Search.”
- Select your preferred room type by clicking on “Show Rooms.” This will drop down all available options.
- Select “Book Now” for the room that fits your needs.
- Complete your reservation by entering all requested information, then click “Continue.” You will receive a confirmation number upon completion.
- NOTE — Only the dates above and contract room types are available at the contract rate. Rooms requested outside of ISS block dates, or different room types, are based on availability and at the prevailing hotel rate.
Prefer to book a room by phone?
- Rooms in the ISS block can also be booked by calling the hotel: 205-752-3200.
- The Agent will ask for an email address, to email your confirmation letter. They will also be able to provide that confirmation number for you over the phone.
- Please be prepared with your payment method, as it is required to make any reservation over the phone.
QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS?
Please email us at admin@signifyingscriptures.org .
