New Leadership at the Center for Jewish History

The Center for Jewish History Board of Directors has unanimously elected William A. Ackman and Joseph S. Steinberg as Co-Chairmen of the Board and Amy P. Goldman as Vice Chairman. The new leadership begins its tenure at an exciting time in the Center’s history. Having successfully completed a one-year capital campaign that raised $30,000,000 to pay off its mortgage, the Center celebrated its 10th anniversary as a now debt-free institution. The Center is recognized as one of the foremost Jewish research and cultural institutions in the world, having served over 1 million people in more than 100 countries.

The Center for Jewish History Board of Directors formally recognized and honored Bruce Slovin, Founder and Chairman Emeritus, who envisioned and created the Center as a communal home to five partner organizations: American Jewish Historical Society (AJHS); American Sephardi Federation (ASF); Leo Baeck Institute (LBI); Yeshiva University Museum (YUM); YIVO Institute for Jewish Research (YIVO). Mr. Slovin’s vision and dedication have molded the Center into a formidable institution: a place where the history of the Jewish people comes alive through scholarship and cultural programming, exhibitions and symposia, lectures and performances. On behalf of the tens of thousands of people who have participated in the creation of the Center over the past 10 years—as funders, researchers, scholars, lay leaders and members of the general public—we show our profound appreciation for Mr. Slovin’s passion, determination and invaluable leadership. The Center’s success and growth are a tribute to his legacy.

Center for Jewish History Academic Advisory Council Welcomes New Leadership

The Center for Jewish History is pleased to announce that its Academic Advisory Council has elected Steven J. Zipperstein (Stanford University) as its new chair and Derek Penslar (University of Toronto) as its new co-chair. With this change in leadership, the Center recognizes the enormous contributions of its outgoing chair, Elisheva Carlebach (Columbia University), and co-chair, Jeffrey Shandler (Rutgers University), who led the Council through an enormous period of academic growth.

The Center’s Academic Advisory Council advises the institution on how to advance scholarship, expand the reach of the partners' collections and impact the world of Jewish studies scholarship.

“Together, Professor Carlebach and Professor Shandler helped advance an emerging fellowship program, developing our Scholars Working Group and new opportunities for research,” says Michael S. Glickman, the Center’s chief operating officer. “Now, Professor Zipperstein and Professor Penslar will take up the Council’s crucial task of helping engage the public in the scholarly work happening at the Center.”

“As I see it, the Council provides the Center for Jewish History with a sounding board as well as a launching pad for ideas, short-term and long-term,” Professor Zipperstein explains. “Gathered on the Council is some of North America's best, most vivid intelligence in early modern and modern Jewish scholarship, all dedicated to the goal of making the Center as accessible and as intellectually rich a resource in Jewish culture as exists in this country.”

Professor Penslar adds, “The Center is one of the world's major resources for archival and library research in Jewish history. It is also no less important a venue for public events and educational activity. It is the Council's privilege to help steer the Center's course in both directions, enhancing its status as a vibrant, creative and unique institution.”

The Center is also pleased to welcome four new members of the Council: James Loeffler (University of Virginia), Tony Michels (University of Wisconsin), Francesca Trivellato (Yale University) and Jeffrey Veidlinger (Indiana University).