The Center for Jewish History is home to five partners—American Jewish Historical Society, American Sephardi Federation, Leo Baeck Institute, Yeshiva University Museum, and YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. The partner collections total more than five miles of archival material and span nearly a thousand years of history. When the Center opened its doors as the new "Library of Congress of the Jewish people" 16 years ago, it made a commitment to preserve the treasures that live within its walls and make them accessible to scholars, students, and diverse audiences. The Center relies on philanthropic support to do this work.
The Center is currently looking to fill the following position/s:
The Center for Jewish History seeks two Public Services Assistants to support researchers in the Lillian Goldman Reading Room and Ackman and Ziff Family Genealogy Institute. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals looking for experience in special collections and reference.
The Center for Jewish History provides a collaborative home for five partner organizations: American Jewish Historical Society, American Sephardi Federation, Leo Baeck Institute, Yeshiva University Museum, and YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. The partners’ archives comprise the world’s largest and most comprehensive archive of the modern Jewish experience outside of Israel. The successful applicant will join a dynamic team of forward-thinking and professionally engaged Center staff who provide access-oriented services for the collections held by the five partner institutions.
Under the supervision of the Senior Manager for Public Services, the Public Services Assistant position can range from 10-20 hours per week at an hourly rate of $20.
The Center for Jewish History is committed to diversity and inclusion. Qualified individuals who bring diverse perspectives to the workplace are especially encouraged to apply.
Review of applications will begin immediately. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled. Send cover letter, resume, and three references to Lauren Gilbert, Senior Manager for Public Services, at lgilbert@cjh.org.
No phone calls, please.
This upcoming summer, the Center for Jewish History, is offering enriching internships across its Development, Finance, and Digital Services divisions. Interns will have the opportunity to gain knowledge from professionals in their respective fields of interest. The summer internships have flexible dates and we are willing to work with you on full time or part time hours with the possibility of extension into the fall semester.
In all cases, interns are expected to demonstrate a strong work ethic, and a commitment to the mission of preservation, understanding and supporting the study of history. We will provide an unlimited MetroCard for the duration of the internship and are willing to discuss ‘for credit’ opportunities.
As a member of the Finance and FP&A team, the Financial Intern will support the Center for Jewish History and assist in maintaining and developing business controls and reports to ensure financial accuracy.
Your role and responsibilities will include:
Skills & Qualifications requirements: Working towards a BA or MA degree in a finance-related field; good Microsoft Excel skills.
For more information regarding this internship, please contact internships@cjh.org.
As a member of the Development team, the Development Intern will support the Center for Jewish History and assist in maintaining and developing procedures within the department, providing improvements to our Raiser’s Edge database and performing prospect research.
Your role and responsibilities will include:
For more information regarding this internship, please contact internships@cjh.org.
As a member of the Digital Services team, the Photography Intern will support the Center for Jewish History in digitizing collections held by the Center’s five partner organizations: American Jewish Historical Society, American Sephardi Federation, Leo Baeck Institute, Yeshiva University Museum and YIVO Institute for Jewish Research.
Your role and responsibilities will include:
Skills and qualifications requirements: Digital photography experience; knowledge of image production and file management (including metadata and color management) using Adobe Creative Cloud (Lightroom, Photoshop, and Bridge); experience in operating and troubleshooting 35mm DSLR cameras.
For more information regarding this internship, please contact internships@cjh.org.
The Center for Jewish History is seeking interns to assist with research, communications, development, and library and archival services. We seek applicants who are reliable, organized, detail oriented, and comfortable interacting with the public. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals looking for experience in special collections based research, the library and archival profession, or the administrative aspects of the non-profit sector.
We are looking for two interns who will support our educational program in teaching with primary sources. The interns will help with researching primary sources, shadow our instructors during classes, and get training in running workshops with high school and undergraduate students. Interns will learn to develop new conceptual frameworks around primary sources, connect primary source literacy and information literacy, and enhance archival knowledge around public history.
Compensation is available for interns co-leading workshops in the spring semester.
It is expected that interns will allocate at least 10 hours per week to work at the Center.
Please send your cover letter indicating your academic interests, skills, and your interests and expectations regarding the internship to internships@cjh.org.
A tour consists of a visit to the exhibitions of the American Jewish Historical Society, the American Sephardi Federation, the Leo Baeck Institute, and the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research (Yeshiva University Museum has a separate docent program) and the public areas of the Center (usually the Leo & Julie Forchheimer Auditorium, the Paul S. & Sylvia Steinberg Great Hall, Lillian Goldman Reading Room, Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute, and the Shelby White & Leon Levy Collection Management and Conservation Wing). Guides who lead these tours are knowledgeable about the facilities and the mission and scope of activities of the Center for Jewish History, and they are able to describe the exhibitions in the Partner’s exhibition cases. Tour guides give approximately 1 -2 tours each month and attend periodic training sessions on new exhibitions.
Ushers work at special events held at the Center. They take tickets and give out programs and may perform other tasks, as needed. The usher is welcome to stay and view the performance. Most events requiring ushers are held weekday evenings or on Sundays. Each usher is responsible for being available 45 minutes before the event to several minutes after the event begins. They may occasionally be asked to stay after the program to help with a reception or book sales.
Office assistants work in various offices throughout the Center. Tasks may include coordinating mailings, addressing and stuffing envelopes, filing, answering phones and making phone calls, handling RSVPs to events, data entry and related office tasks. Some offices are seeking researchers and assistants for special projects. The Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute needs volunteers who are experienced with family history research to assist patrons. Librarians may need volunteers to catalog books and related tasks. Required hours are worked out with the individual departments.
The Center maintains a list of translators who are willing to help Reading Room and Genealogy Institute patrons translate documents. Staff members give the name of the patron to the translator, who then reaches out to the patron to make arrangements. Translations may be done at the Center or remotely. Translators are needed in almost any language, but the most commonly requested translations are from Yiddish, Hebrew, Russian and German.
If you are interested in volunteering at the Center, please contact Julie Kaplan, Volunteer Coordinator, at cjhvolunteer@cjh.org or call (917) 606-8226.