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Employment Opportunities

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:

  • Oral Historian

    The Center for Jewish History seeks a part-time Oral Historian for a term ending June 30, 2019, with the possibility of extension. Reporting directly to the Senior Manager for Collection Services, the Oral Historian will be responsible for collecting oral histories from the New York Iranian Jewish immigrant community. The successful applicant will join a dynamic team of forward-thinking and professionally engaged Center staff who provide support for archival projects and other access-oriented services for the collections held by the five partner institutions of the Center. The part-time position offers a competitive hourly rate for 15 hours weekly.

    Responsibilities

    • Conduct 10 video oral histories of Iranian American Jewish immigrants
    • Collaborate with Center staff, including videographers in the Digital Services department, to arrange several days of interview capture .
    • Develop interview questions
    • Manage the translation and transcription of select interviews
    • Coordinate with the Archival Services and Metadata and Discovery Services departments for processing of collection and ingest into the Center’s systems
    • Undertake additional duties related to the oral history project as assigned

    Required Qualifications

    • Fluency in Farsi, both written and spoken
    • Bachelor’s degree, preferably in history, oral history, journalism, or Iranian and Persian studies
    • Knowledge of oral history professional practice, methodology, theory, and ethics
    • High capacity for creative problem-solving
    • Aptitude at prioritizing work and meeting deadlines
    • Ability to work flexibly, independently and collaboratively in a complex organizational environment comprised of diverse constituencies
    • Capacity to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing

    Preferred Qualifications

    • Master’s degree in oral history or from an ALA-accredited library school or similar graduate-level training, such as archival science
    • Familiarity with 20th-century Jewish history and modern Middle Eastern history
    • Previous oral history experience

    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 position is filled. Send cover letter, resume, and three references to Sarah Hopley, Senior Manager for Collection Services, at shopley@cjh.org.

    No phone calls, please.

Internship Opportunities

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.

  • Research Intern

    Under the supervision of the Senior Manager for Communications.

    Responsibilities

    • Utilize the collections, internet, and subscription databases to research a wide range of topics, including those of interest to the intern.
    • Research and fact check for publications, reference inquiries, and exhibits.

    Prerequisites

    • Strong research and writing skills are required.
    • Knowledge of and interest in modern American, European, and Jewish history is preferred.
    • Proficiency in foreign languages, particularly German, Polish, Russian, Hebrew, or Yiddish is helpful but not required.

    All interested in the social sciences (specifically history) and library science are welcome to apply. Please submit a cover letter and resume to David Rosenberg, Senior Manager for Communications, at drosenberg@cjh.org. Along with your other application materials, please include multiple writing samples.

  • Communications Intern

    Under the supervision of the Senior Manager for Communications.

    Responsibilities

    • Assist with communications efforts including press releases, event alerts, social media and email blasts. This includes original writing as well as editing and formatting.
    • Submit event listings to online outlets
    • Contribute to special projects, often surrounding public programs and exhibits

    Prerequisites

    • Strong writing skills are required.
    • Command over the English language.
    • Knowledge of and interest in journalism and public relations preferred.

    Current college students or recent graduates are welcome to apply. Please submit a cover letter and resume to David Rosenberg, Senior Manager for Communications, at drosenberg@cjh.org. Along with your other application materials, please include multiple writing samples.

  • Development Intern

    Under the supervision of the Senior Manager for Communications.

    Responsibilities

    • Obtain familiarity with Raiser’s Edge fundraising software
    • Update records as required
    • Attend meetings with development staff regarding initiatives, projects, and events
    • Make phone calls soliciting information and to thank donors
    • Assist with preparations for major fundraising gala
    • Represent the Center at public programs: staffing a membership/information table

    Prerequisites

    • Personable and friendly
    • Command over the English language
    • Knowledge of and interest in the non-profit sector preferred
    • Familiarity with Raiser’s Edge a plus

    Current college students or recent graduates are welcome to apply. Excellent opportunity to explore careers in fundraising. Please submit a cover letter and resume to David Rosenberg, Senior Manager for Communications, at drosenberg@cjh.org. Along with your other application materials, please include multiple writing samples.

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Tour Guides (docents)

    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 auditorium, Great Hall, Reading Room, Genealogy Institute, 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 one 2-hour tour each week, and attend frequent training sessions.

  • Translators

    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 here 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.

  • Ushers

    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.

  • Office/Library/Genealogy Assistants

    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 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.

Requirements For Volunteers

  • Time commitment level: either on a project/event basis, or consistently, with at least one shift per week, ideally same day each week.
  • Attire: professional/casual, unless otherwise specified.
  • Communication skills: must have excellent speaking skills; knowledge of foreign languages a plus, though not required.
  • An interest in Judaism, education, culture, the arts and history.

Benefits For Volunteers

  • Complimentary tickets to concerts, films and other events when available.
  • Free admission to museums in New York City and elsewhere for the volunteer and a guest.
  • Invitation to our annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon and other special events.
  • Contact with a broad spectrum of individuals and groups.

If you are interested in volunteering at the Center, please contact Julie Kaplan, Volunteer Coordinator, at cjhvolunteer@cjh.org or call (917) 606-8226.