Scholars Working Groups at the Center for Jewish History

The Center for Jewish History’s Institute for Advanced Research also sponsors Scholars Working Groups. These groups provide a forum where scholars at all career stages can share their research and ideas and ultimately create an interdisciplinary community. Every two years in the fall, the Center welcomes proposals on a particular topic or question to be explored in the scholars working group from a variety of historical, disciplinary, and contextual perspectives.

• The Scholars Working Groups are expected to commit to a two-year cycle of six meetings per academic year. To be as inclusive as possible, most of these meetings could be held virtually, with one meeting per academic semester taking place in-person at the CJH.
• The meetings of the Scholars Working Groups should consist of scholars presenting works-in-progress or completed but unpublished works of scholarship. The Center for Jewish History will cover the cost of each session including refreshments, technical, and administrative expenses.
• Scholars Working Groups should consider how to engage the broader CJH public, e.g., by sponsoring a public symposium or a public lecture series, developing a digital platform, print publication, or other forms of disseminating the group’s results.
• Scholars Working Groups proposals must identify two group conveners, one of whom is expected to be a resident of the New York metropolitan area.
• Conveners of Scholars Working Groups will determine the specific composition of the group, but both junior and senior scholars as well as advanced graduate students (ABD) should be invited to participate. Participation is by invitation only. Groups should consist of 15-20 invitees (including convenors).

Questions about the Scholars Working Groups may be directed to the Fellowships Administrator.

Current Scholars Working Groups 2023–2025

• Jewish Reproduction
• Shared and Contested Spaces: American Jews and African Americans
• The American Yiddish Press and the Shaping of Modern Jewish Culture

TBA soon: Incoming Scholars Working Groups 2025–2027