Available Fellowships

• Graduate Research Fellowship

  The application deadline for Graduate Research Fellowships starting in Fall 2020 is December 20, 2019.

  The Center for Jewish History offers ten-month fellowships to doctoral candidates to support original research using the collections of the Center’s partners - American Jewish Historical Society, American Sephardi Federation, Leo Baeck Institute, Yeshiva University Museum, and YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. Preference is given to those candidates who draw on the library and archival resources of more than one partner institution. Fellows must be in residence at the Center from September 2020 through June 2021 and applicants should have completed all requirements (i.e., coursework, exams, dissertation proposal) for the doctoral degree except for the dissertation. It is required that each fellow spend a minimum of three days per week in residence in the Lillian Goldman Reading Room using the archival and library resources. Fellows must also participate in the Center for Jewish History Fellowship Seminar Program, attend bi-weekly meetings of the fellowship program cohort, deliver a minimum of one lecture based on research conducted at Center, and submit a report upon completion of the Fellowship describing her/his experience as a Center Fellow. Fellowships carry a stipend of $22,500 for a period of one academic year.

  Download the Application Guidelines

  Eligibility

  • The fellowship is open to qualified doctoral candidates from accredited domestic and international institutions.
  • Fellows must be in residence at the Center from the beginning of September 2020 until the end of June 2021.
  • Applicants should have completed all requirements (i.e. coursework, exams, dissertation proposal) for the doctoral degree except for the dissertation.
  • Fellows will be permitted to hold a concurrent fellowship provided that it does not contain any residency requirement or interfere in any way with full participation in the activities described above. Please consult the Director of Academic Programs before accepting any additional fellowships, academic or other positions to be held during the term of the CJH fellowship.
  • For non-U.S. citizens, it is the responsibility of the applicant to have the appropriate visa for acceptance of the award during the ten-month fellowship term. The Center for Jewish History is not a visa-granting institution.

  
  

  Requirements for Application

  • Register at www.cjh.org/gradregistration
  • Cover letter stating area of interest, knowledge of relevant languages, and how the project relates to the general mission of the Center for Jewish History
  • Curriculum Vitae, including contact information, education, publications, scholarly and/or museum activities, teaching experience, and any other relevant work experience
  • Research proposal of no more than four pages double-spaced, including specific reference to the collections at the Center and clearly stated goals for research during the period of the fellowship
  • A one-page bibliography of important secondary sources for the project
  • Graduate school transcript
  • Three letters of recommendation, which address the significance of the candidate’s work for his or her field, as well as the candidate’s ability to fulfill the proposed work. Please ensure that your application indicates the names and contact information of those writing letters of recommendation on your behalf.
  • Letters of recommendation should be sent separately, directly by the recommenders – preferably by email or dossier service – to the address below.
  • Please submit application materials 2-6 by email. Transcripts may arrive separately to the below address or email address.

  
  

  The schedule for the application process is as follows:

  • All application materials, including letters of recommendation, must be received by December 20, 2019 for consideration.
  • Announcement of grant recipients by February 2020
  • Commencement of grant period, September 1, 2020
  • Conclusion of grant period, June 30, 2021

  
  

  Applications are to be submitted to:

  Malgorzata Bakalarz-Duverger, Ph.D.
  Director of Academic Programs
  Center for Jewish History
  15 West 16th Street
  New York, NY 10011
  United States of America
  Email: fellowships@cjh.org

• NEH Fellowship for Senior Scholars

  The application deadline for the NEH Fellowship for Senior Scholars starting in Fall 2020 is December 1, 2019.

  The Center offers a fellowship to senior scholars through a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The award supports original research at the Center in the humanities, including but not limited to Jewish studies, Russian and East European studies, American studies, Germanic studies, as well as musicology, linguistics, anthropology, sociology, and history.
  Applications are welcome from college and university faculty in any field who have completed a PhD more than six years prior to the start of the fellowship and whose research will benefit considerably from consultation with materials in the collections of the Center’s partners – American Jewish Historical Society, American Sephardi Federation, Leo Baeck Institute, Yeshiva University Museum, and YIVO Institute for Jewish Research.
  Fellowships carry a stipend of up to $50,400 for a period of one year. Fellows are expected to conduct original research at the Center, deliver at least one lecture based on the research conducted, actively participate in the scholarly community at the Center, acknowledge the Center and NEH in all publications resulting from research completed during the fellowship, and submit a report upon completion of the fellowship describing the experience.

  Assessment Criteria

  • The ambition, scope, and intellectual significance of the proposed project, including its value for scholars of Jewish history, humanities scholars, and/or general audiences.
  • The quality and impact of the applicant’s prior work in Jewish Studies and/or a related humanities discipline.
  • The overall clarity and intelligibility of the proposal, with its aims clearly conveyed.
  • The feasibility and appropriateness of the project proposal, including the applicant’s disciplinary and linguistic training and, when relevant, the soundness of the dissemination and access plans.
  • The likelihood that the applicant will become part of the life of the Center for Jewish History for the time of the fellowship, by using its collections for the proposed project, participating in Center events, and mentoring other fellows.

  
  

  Download the Application Guidelines

  
  

  Please submit your application by December 1, 2019 to:

  Malgorzata Bakalarz-Duverger, Ph.D.
  Director of Academic Programs
  Center for Jewish History
  15 West 16th Street
  New York, NY 10011
  United States of America
  Email: fellowships@cjh.org

• CJH-Fordham University Research Fellowship

  The application deadline for the CJH-Fordham University Research Fellowship is February 1, 2020.

  Fordham University's Center for Jewish Studies and the Center for Jewish History offer a joint short-term research fellowship in Jewish Studies for scholars outside the New York City metropolitan area whose research focuses on Jewish-Christian relations and who wish to conduct research based on materials housed at the Center for Jewish History and Fordham University.

  The fellow is expected to spend at least a month at the two host institutions, but may stay as long as five months. The fellow's stay must coincide with either the fall or spring Fordham University academic semesters. The stipend for this fellowship is $5,000.

  The fellow will receive affiliation with Fordham University, and will be required to offer a faculty seminar, and a public lecture, which would be a joint event of Fordham and CJH with alternate venues. The fellow is also expected to participate in scholarly seminars and other meetings at the Center for Jewish History and Fordham University.

  The CJH-Fordham Research Fellowship in Jewish-Christian Relations is made possible by funds from the Center for Jewish History, the Eugene Shvidler Gift Fund at Fordham University, and additional gift funds to Jewish Studies at Fordham University.

  Download the Application Guidelines

  
  

  Applications are to be submitted to:

  Malgorzata Bakalarz-Duverger, Ph.D.
  Director of Academic Programs
  Center for Jewish History
  15 West 16th Street
  New York, NY 10011
  United States of America
  Email: fellowships@cjh.org

• Short-term Research Fellowships

  The Center for Jewish History offers three short-term research fellowships for scholars outside the New York City metropolitan area who wish to conduct research based on the collections of the Center’s partner institutions: American Jewish Historical Society, American Sephardi Federation, Leo Baeck Institute, Yeshiva University Museum, and YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. Priority will be given to projects drawing from collections of more than one partner institution.

  The fellow is expected to spend at least three months at the Center between May 1, 2020 and May 1, 2021. If summer months are considered, the fellow's stay must cover at least one month of an academic semester (e.g. May-July, August-October, December-February, etc). The stipend for the short-term fellowships is $6,500.

  The fellow is expected to spend at least three days a week at the Center and participate in scholarly seminars and other meetings at the Center for Jewish History. The fellow is also required to deliver a talk presenting their research project and to submit a short final report regarding their time at the Center.

  Download the Application Guidelines

  Eligibility

  • Open to scholars from outside the New York metropolitan area engaged in advanced doctoral and post-doctoral research.
  • Doctoral students applying for the fellowship must have all the program requirements completed by the time of application. Independent scholars must have Ph.D. degrees.
  • For non-U.S. citizens, it is the responsibility of the applicant to have the appropriate visa for acceptance of the award during the three-month fellowship term. The Center for Jewish History is not a visa-granting institution.

  
  

  Requirements for Application

  • Cover letter stating area of interest, knowledge of relevant languages, and how the project relates to the collections at the Center for Jewish History.
  • Curriculum Vitae, including contact information, education, publications, scholarly and/or museum activities, teaching experience, and any other relevant work experience.
  • Research proposal of no more than four pages double-spaced, including specific reference to the collections at the Center, and clearly stated goals for research during the period of the fellowship.
  • A one-page bibliography of important secondary sources for the project.
  • One letter of recommendation, which addresses the significance of the candidate's work for their field, as well as the candidate's ability to fulfill the proposed work. Letter of recommendation should be sent under separate cover - preferably by email or dossier service - to the address below.
  • Please submit application materials by email as one continuous PDF file.

  
  

  The schedule for the application process is as follows:

  • All application materials, including the letter of recommendation, must be received by January 6, 2020 for consideration.
  • Announcement of fellowship recipients by March 1, 2020
  • Commencement of fellowship period, May 1, 2020
  • Conclusion of grant period, May 1, 2021

  
  

  Applications are to be submitted to:

  Malgorzata Bakalarz-Duverger, Ph.D.
  Director of Academic Programs
  Center for Jewish History
  15 West 16th Street
  New York, NY 10011
  United States of America
  Email: fellowships@cjh.org

• Sid Lapidus Curatorial Fellowship

  The Center for Jewish History is delighted to announce the Sid Lapidus Curatorial Fellowship - a new, three-month fellowship for curators to support their original research and conceptualization of exhibition projects that draw from the collections of the Center's partner institutions: American Jewish Historical Society, American Sephardi Federation, Leo Baeck Institute, Yeshiva University Museum, and YIVO Institute for Jewish Research.

  The fellows will be able to consult the collections a) to inform and shape their new or in-process exhibition projects; b) to further contextualize in-process exhibitions with primary sources from the collections ; and c) to present and reference the collections in exhibition catalogues and accompanying materials, including digital components of exhibitions.

  Please note that the conditions of usage and loans of any objects would be subject to separate agreements negotiated directly with the Center’s partner institutions.

  Fellows must be in residence at the Center for a period of three consecutive months, chosen between May 1, 2020 and May 30, 2021, with at least one month falling during the academic year (i.e. May or September).

  During their residency, fellows will deliver at least one Master Class/workshop to students of curatorial studies. They are also expected to deliver a presentation about the project of their choice to a broader audience. The fellowship will conclude with a report on the fellow's activity (an exhibition proposal and/or conceptualization of use of the collections in proposed exhibitions).

  The successful applicants for the fellowship are late-junior to mid-career curators with experience in curating shows at diverse venues, such as museums and/or galleries, for at least 3 years. In reviewing the portfolio of exhibitions, preference will be given to those candidates whose projects are formally and/or conceptually interdisciplinary.  Fellowships carry a stipend of $10,000 for a period of 3 months.

  Download the Application Guidelines

  Eligibility

  • The fellowship is open to late-junior or mid-career curators, with at least three years of curatorial experience (including at least 2 projects completer as a curator)
  • Fellows must be in residence at the Center for three months between May 2020 and May 2021 (with at least one month falling during the semester - May or September).
  • Preference is given to those candidates who consider using archival resources of more than one partner institution and who can secure a venue for their exhibition proposal.
  • For non-U.S. citizens, it is the responsibility of the applicant to have the appropriate visa for acceptance of the award during the three-month fellowship term. The Center for Jewish History is not a visa-granting institution.

  
  

  Requirements for Application

  • Cover letter
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • A portfolio of curated projects, including installation shots, submitted either as a PDF file (no more than five pages of images with brief descriptions), or a weblink with clear indications of which projects should be considered
  • Project proposal of no more than five pages, including specific reference to the collections at the Center and clearly stated goals for research during the period of the fellowship
  • One letter of recommendation, which addresses the significance of the candidate's work to their field
  • Preferred, but not required: a letter of interest from a potential collaborating venue
  • Please submit application as one combined file, in PDF format (if providing links to website regarding a portfolio, please provide them in your application). No links to Dropbox/Google documents will be accepted.

  
  

  The schedule for the application process is as follows:

  • All application materials must be submitted by January 10, 2020
  • Announcement of fellowship recipients: February 15, 2020
  • Conclusion of the fellowship period: December 2020

  
  

  Applications are to be submitted to:

  Malgorzata Bakalarz-Duverger, Ph.D.
  Director of Academic Programs
  Center for Jewish History
  15 West 16th Street
  New York, NY 10011
  United States of America
  Email: fellowships@cjh.org

• Visiting Scholars Program

  The Center for Jewish History's Visiting Scholar Program invites scholars who have completed their doctorate or its equivalent to apply for an affiliation with the Center and to work in the collections of one or more of its partner institutions: American Jewish Historical Society, American Sephardi Federation, Leo Baeck Institute, Yeshiva University Museum, and YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. For their period of affiliation, Visiting Scholars will receive workspace at the Center and access to the collections housed at the Center for Jewish History. The Visiting Scholar Program does not provide a stipend or financial support.

  Visiting Scholars will be expected to commit to a regular presence at the Center for a minimum of three months, working at the Center at least two days per week. Visiting Scholars are expected to play an active role in the Center's Fellowship Program activities by attending meetings with other fellows and either presenting an academic seminar on their work or participating in a public program. Scholars may apply to be affiliated with the Center for a full academic year (September - May), the fall semester (September - December) or spring semester (mid-January - May), or for the summer (June - August).

  Junior and senior scholars, including those who are on leave from their home institutions, are encouraged to apply, as are independent scholars and scholars who are between academic appointments.

  Eligibility

  • Scholars holding a PhD or equivalent terminal degree
  • Scholars working on projects that make use of the Center partner collections
  • Scholars eager to participate in the Center's active community of researchers

  
  

  Requirements for Application

  • A complete curriculum vitae
  • A description of the proposed research project, maximum 3 pages in length, including an explanation of which of the Center partners' collections will be used
  • The names and contact information of two references
  • Please send all application materials together electronically as one continuous PDF document.

  
  

  Applications are to be submitted to:

  Malgorzata Bakalarz-Duverger, Ph.D.
  Director of Academic Programs
  Center for Jewish History
  15 West 16th Street
  New York, NY 10011
  United States of America
  Email: fellowships@cjh.org

Center for Jewish History Fellows

The Center for Jewish History welcomes a new cohort of outstanding fellows to spend the 2019-2020 academic year engaged in their cutting-edge research. They will be working with the Center’s Partners’ archives on their original projects. Varying in their disciplinary and chronological scope, the fellows’ scholarship weaves a fascinating and complex picture of the field of Jewish studies today.
Each year the Center for Jewish History hosts a cohort of scholars as well as a distinguished senior scholar.
This year we are pleased to announce that Prof. Brian Ogren, Anna Smith Fine Associate Professor of Judaic Studies, Department of Religion at Rice University, joins us as the National Endowment for the Humanities Senior Scholar. 
Prof. Ogren’s project, Kabbalah and the Founding of America: Christian Uses of Jewish Thought in the Nascent Republic explores the understudied area of exchange between early American Protestantism and Jewish thought. It will seek to broaden the understanding of the role that Jewish esoteric lore known as kabbalah and corresponding intellectual exchanges between Jews and Protestants played in the shaping of American notions of religious liberty, tolerance, and the formation of individual identity.

The 2019-20 CJH-Fordham University Fellow in Jewish-Christian Relations is Jessica Cooperman, Associate Professor at Religion Studies Department and Director of Jewish Studies Program at Muhlenberg College. Her project, called Jewish and Christian Passover Seders as Sites of Interfaith Engagement explores the proliferation of Christian and interfaith seders in the United States as a means of considering the ways that the Jewish holiday of Passover has been reinterpreted in modern American contexts. The project posits that Jews and Christians often enter into these interfaith encounters with different, at times opposing, social, political, and theological goals in mind.
Joining Prof. Ogren and prof. Cooperman will be doctoral students pursuing diverse research in Jewish studies:

• Ari Cohen, University of Virginia
• Binyamin Hunyadi, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
• Tamar Menashe, Columbia University
• Miriam Schulz, Columbia University