Hadassah-Brandeis Institute

The Hadassah-Brandeis Institute (HBI) develops fresh ways of thinking about Jews and gender worldwide by producing and promoting scholarly research, artistic projects and public engagement.

One of the world's only academic centers of its kind, HBI provides research resources and programs for scholars, students and the public. The Institute publishes books and a journal, convenes international conferences and local programming, and offers competitive grant and internship programs.

Visit our events page to see a full roster of our upcoming events and watch past events.

HBI offers outstanding scholars, writers and artists the opportunity to be in residence at HBI at different points during the year. Apply to the 2026-2027 Scholars in Residence Program by February 4, 2026.

HBI Upcoming Art Exhibition: Who Will Draw Our History? Women’s Graphic Narratives of the Holocaust, 1944-1949, Guest Curated by Rachel E. Perry, PhD, Opening International Holocaust Remembrance Day, January 27, 2026. 
Two hands on a piece of paper, a pen in one hand, in the act of drawing a face of a person with an open mouth and wide eyes.

Helmar Lerski, Lea Grundig Drawing Hands, c. 1944, © Galerie Berinson, Berlin

Upcoming Events

January 26
HBI Seminar Series, "Mothers and Nation: Maternal Politics in Israel and the Jewish Diaspora", Edith Pick, PhD, HBI Postdoctoral Associate
12 PM - 1 PM
January 27 - April 30
HBI Art Exhibition: "Who Will Draw Our History? Women’s Graphic Narratives of the Holocaust, 1944-1949", Guest Curated by Rachel E. Perry, PhD, Olivia Baldwin, Rosalie and Jim Shane Curator & Arts Coordinator, Kniznick Gallery
January 27
HBI Art Exhibition Opening Reception: "Who Will Draw Our History? Women’s Graphic Narratives of the Holocaust, 1944-1949"
5 PM - 7:30 PM
January 29
Sandra Seltzer Silberman HBI Conversations Series Featuring Rabbi Jane Kanarek, PhD, author of "Beyond Brutality, Reclaiming Female Presence in Bavli Sotah"
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
A collage of book covers, women meeting together, art work, and headshots of women
A Message from the Director, Lisa Fishbayn Joffe

As director of the Hadassah-Brandeis Institute, I take very seriously our mission to support scholars in the field of Jewish women’s and gender studies at every stage of their career.  We offer classes and internships for undergraduates, doctoral and post-doctoral fellowships, research awards to junior and senior scholars and visiting positions for established faculty and artists.  This past December, I spent the first few days of Hanukkah at the annual conference of the Association for Jewish Studies in Washington, D.C.  As I moved amongst the 1,000 plus attendees, it was a real delight to see so many people whose research and career had been supported in some way by the Hadassah-Brandeis Institute.

“I've always supported HBI because we all know history, but not herstory. We transmit the survival of Jewish women to each generation in the stories we tell. Through previously untold narratives, HBI elevates the experiences of Jewish women all over the world, allowing us to better understand one another.”

Debs Weinberg, HBI Board of Advisors Chair Emerita