Deadline: February 3, 2023
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 archival and library resources of more than one Partner institution. Fellowships must run for 10 months, starting September 2023, and applicants should have completed all requirements (i.e., coursework, exams, dissertation proposal) for the doctoral degree except for the dissertation.
Fellows are encouraged to spend at least three days per week in residence in the Lillian Goldman Reading Room using the archival and library resources. For those who do not reside in commuting distance of New York, a hybrid model is possible; “hybrid” entails spending two months at the Center and working remotely for the remainder of the fellowship period if the majority of collection material is already digitized. Please note that the Center currently cannot commit to digitization of any undigitized collection materials during the fellowship period. In rare cases (e.g., war, natural disasters), we may be able to offer remote fellowships to those who cannot come to New York if their materials are available digitally on-line. Fellows must also participate in the Center for Jewish History Fellowship Seminar Program, attend monthly meetings of the fellowship program cohort, present a pre-circulated paper to be discussed at one of those monthly meetings, deliver a minimum of one lecture based on research conducted at CJH, and submit a report upon completion of the fellowship describing their experience as a Center Fellow.
A total of four or five fellowships are available for the 2023-24 year: three Lapidus Fellowships and one or two Dr. Sophie Bookhalter Fellowships. These fellowships carry stipends of $30,000 for a period of 10 months.
Preference for the Lapidus Fellowships will be given to those researchers who will use the Sidney Lapidus Collections of the Center or its in-house partner, the American Jewish Historical Society. The Lapidus collections are comprised of books, pamphlets, and broadsides relating broadly to the social conditions, intellectual life, and gradual emancipation of the Jews of Europe (primarily Western) from the 17th through the 19th century, as well as the social and legal status of Jews in the United States from the formative years of the Republic through the following century. The Lapidus collections are accessible here in our catalog. If you have any questions regarding the collection materials donated by Sidney Lapidus, please reach out to lgilbert@cjh.org.
Please specify in your application if you are applying for the Lapidus Fellowship.
Download the application guidelines.
EligibilityThe fellowships are open to qualified doctoral candidates from accredited domestic and international institutions. 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 it does not contain any residency requirement or interfere in any way with full participation in the activities described above. Please consult the Center before accepting any additional fellowships, academic or other positions to be held during the term of the Center 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 is not a visa-granting institution.
Requirements for ApplicationCover 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 If applying with a hybrid or remote fellowship in mind, provide detailed information on how much of collections to be consulted are digitized. A one-page bibliography of important secondary sources for the project Graduate school transcript One letter of recommendation from the candidate’s primary advisor. The letter should address the significance of the candidate’s work for their field, as well as the candidate’s ability to fulfill the proposed work. Please ensure that your application indicates the name and contact information of the person writing the letter on your behalf. Letter of recommendation should be sent separately, directly by the recommender. Ask the recommender to address the letter to fellowships@cjh.org. Please submit all application materials electronically as one continuous PDF document (except the letter of recommendation).
The schedule for the application process is as follows:All application materials must be received by February 3, 2023 for consideration. Announcement of grant recipients by April 2023. Commencement of grant period is September 2023, and it runs for 10 months.
Applications are to be submitted to: