Academic life in Israel is closely tied to the intellectual currents and institutions of higher education in the West. In the days following October 7th, a growing understanding has emerged that these ties cannot be taken for granted, and that they must be preserved and defended against attempts to cause damage and against boycotts. Alongside these efforts, it has become clear—especially after October 7th—that life in Israel and the Middle East demands engagement with unique challenges. This insight is natural given the fact that the legacies of this region of the world differ in character from Western legacies. The particular challenges of our region are evident: holy places; sacred time; Jewish identity; relations between Jews and Arabs within Israel and beyond; the existential threat; and the bloody Israeli-Palestinian conflict. These challenges have only intensified since October 7th. Discourse around these and similar topics—discourse with practical ramifications—cannot be reduced to the application of methods or modes of discussion that have grown out of other contexts.
The creation of an autonomous intellectual space that maintains a dialogue with Western thought and scholarship is essential—this is not an intellectual luxury. The Jerusalem Circle is a modest attempt to carve a path in this direction. Its central idea is to bring together scholars in the humanities and social sciences to establish a home for Israeli researchers—a home attentive both to intellectual movements within Israel and to developments in the West. This initiative is not value-neutral; it is committed to political alertness, critical discourse, and the foundational values required of those engaged in the humanities and social sciences.
The journal whose first issue is presented here constitutes a vital component of this initiative, and it must be complemented by practices of dissemination and integration into key arenas of influence in Israel. The title of this issue—Universalisms—reflects the understanding that different conceptions of universalism are possible. We have chosen not to open with a formal editorial on this topic, but rather to “dive in” with a collection of articles that approach the theme from multiple perspectives. Joëlle Hansel has honored us with a new translation of writings by Levinas from before the Second World War. This new translation is published here for the first time, and we extend to her our heartfelt thanks.
