The Association for Canadian Jewish Studies/ l’Association d’études juives canadiennes was founded in 1976 as the Canadian Jewish Historical Society / Société d’histoire juive canadienne.

The original aim of the society was to promote and disseminate historical research concerning the engagement of Jews to Canadian society. It did so via the publication of the Canadian Jewish Historical Society Journal (1977-1988), an annual conference, held in conjunction with the Canadian Historical Association, at the Congress of Social Sciences and Humanities (the “Learneds”), and by occasional papers and lectures. In 1993 the Canadian Jewish Historical Society began the publication of a new annual scholarly journal, Canadian Jewish Studies. In an attempt to broaden its research scope, in 1996 the society changed its name to the Association for Canadian Jewish Studies / l’Association d’études juives canadiennes (ACJS / Aéjc).

In addition to history, the new association encouraged research on the Canadian Jewish experience through the disciplines of political science, sociology, economics, geography, demography, education, religion, linguistics, literature, architecture, performing and fine arts, among others. The ACJS / Aéjc continued the publication of the journal and uses it as a vehicle to promote its new multidisciplinary approach to Canadian Jewish Studies. The ACJS / Aéjc is a national organization with headquarters in Montreal. Since the 1970s the organization has been affiliated with several local Jewish historical societies and organizations throughout Canada.

The ACJS gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of the Institute for Canadian Jewish Studies at Concordia University. The association is also pleased to be affiliated with the Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Studies at York University, the Jewish Studies Program of the University of Toronto and Vered Jewish Canadian Studies Program at the University of Ottawa.