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The Center for Jewish History invites proposals for a new Scholars Working Group to begin in Fall 2012. Building on the success of the two previously established working groups, ‘The History of the Jewish Book’ and ‘New York City and the Jews’, CJH is seeking to provide new opportunities to draw from the research and ideas of a wide array of scholars from the greater New York Metropolitan area at different career stages. The Center welcomes proposals on diverse and multidisciplinary themes/subjects that seek to examine a specific topic or question through various historical, disciplinary, and contextual mediums and lenses.
The ultimate goal is to build the working group into an interdisciplinary community of scholars who engage and provide opportunities for inquiry among themselves in an ongoing way. At the same time, working groups must consider how to engage the broader CJH public. This can take the form of sponsoring a public symposium, creating a digital database, or supporting a public lecture series, all based on the outcome of the working group’s cumulative deliberations.
Working Group Requirements
• The new working group will be expected to commit to a two year cycle of six seminars per academic year, each taking place at the Center for Jewish History. Renewal for a third year is possible.
• The seminars will be modeled on scholars presenting works-in-progress or a completed work of scholarship in the interest of generating conversation that relates to the overall theme of the group.
• Conveners 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 no fewer than twenty and no more than thirty-five invitees to begin.
Application Guidelines
• Applications must identify two group conveners, one of whom is expected to be a resident of the New York Metropolitan Area.
• The proposal should identify, in very clear terms:
1. The proposed theme and its significance to Jewish Studies
2. The plan for the two year cycle
3. Potential participants
4. Possible session topics that reflect a multidisciplinary perspective
• Proposals should address the potential afterlife of the working group. Applications must consider ways the group can further its stated goals following completion of the working group cycle, either through sponsoring annual panels at the AJS conference, establishing a long-term digital project, publication of working group presentations, holding week-long seminars that involve a broader array of participants, conferences, or by other means.
The Center for Jewish History will actively seek funding to support the initiatives that are selected. Funding will cover the cost of each session including refreshments, occasional travel stipends for presenters from outside of the New York area, and technical and administrative costs.
Proposals are welcome from established scholars in the field of Jewish Studies. Applications should be no longer than 3-5 pages and should be sent to Judith Siegel, Director of Academic and Pubic Programs, at jsiegel@cjh.org by May 29, 2012.
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