Hadassah-Brandeis Institute

HBI-Jewish Feminism Collections Scholar in Residence

In addition to our general Scholar in Residence program, the HBI offers a dedicated residency devoted to research and creations that use the Jewish Feminism Collections in Brandeis University’s Archives and Special Collections.

Apply online

The Jewish Feminism Collections in the Archives include: 

*archives are still being processed

These collections, individually and together, provide primary source material for inspiration about the study of important feminist themes with a Jewish lens, and Jewish themes with a feminist lens. Broad topics include, but are not limited to, Second Wave Jewish feminism; gender equity in Jewish organizations; women’s inclusion in Jewish spaces; rituals designed for and by Jewish women such as women’s seders and haggadot; and other aspects of creative work. They also offer materials on women’s roles in Israeli elections and the Knesset; early activism around stereotyping Jewish women; sexual harassment; international Jewish activism during the breakup of the Soviet Union: and more.

The collection also features an important partnership, The American Jewish and Israeli Feminism Archives Collaborative, a joint project of the University Archives & Special Collections department at Brandeis University and the Haifa Feminist Institute.

Overall, the collection, which includes the Marcia Freedman papers, provides insight into the important topics, but also into the organizational structures, processes and pioneering work that made this work possible at the time; they capture essential parts of Jewish feminist history as it was being made.

Program Structure

Scholars will receive a monthly stipend of $5,000. In addition, participants will receive (shared) office space at the Women’s Studies Research Center at Brandeis University and access to all available Brandeis University resources as state and university health policies permit. There is also the possibility to have the support of an undergraduate Research Assistant.

Participants are expected to participate in the HBI seminar where scholars present new work and work in progress, to give a public lecture on their work, and to play an active part in the intellectual life of the university.

Application Requirements

Please submit each of the following items when completing the online application:

  • Letter of introduction with your preferred dates of residence
  • Project abstract
  • Project proposal
  • Applicants for the HBI- Jewish Feminist Collections Scholar in Residence position should describe how their research will use its materials.
  • Literature review (if appropriate)
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Two (2) professional letters of reference
  • Writing sample (10 page maximum)
  • Three suggested topics for a public and/or academic lecture (note that these are only tentative topics and may be changed if deemed appropriate by both the HBI and the scholar.)
  • Statement explaining where you learned about this opportunity.

Brandeis Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy

Brandeis was founded on the values of open inquiry, academic excellence and an abiding commitment to social justice. The history of Brandeis has shown that commitment to social justice must be an ongoing effort in both learning and implementation in order to ensure equity for all.