The synagogue attack that took place in Pittsburgh on 10/27/18 left many scholars and American Jews with lingering, urgent questions about antisemitism, violence, and trauma. To support inquiry into this pivotal event in American Jewish history, the Jewish Studies Program at the University of Pittsburgh, in partnership with the Rauh Jewish Archives at the Heinz History Center, announces the availability of the inaugural Fine Fellowship for the study of the 10/27/2018 attack.

This $4000 fellowship will provide funding for a scholar to travel to Pittsburgh and work with the repository of materials related to the attack and its aftermath. The bulk of these materials can be found in the October 27 collections held at the Rauh Jewish Archives of the Heinz History Center, which includes ephemera, correspondence, oral histories, and institutional records. Other related collections can be found at the archives of the University of Pittsburgh and the city of Pittsburgh. 

A committee consisting of representatives from the Jewish studies faculty of University of Pittsburgh, the Rauh Jewish Archives, and the 10.27 Healing Partnership will consider the applications. They will offer the award to an outstanding scholar whose research promises to make excellent use of local materials, stands to gain from thoughtful conversations with the people of Pittsburgh, and will prove instructive to local community-members seeking to better understand the contexts and repercussions of the 10/27 attack.

This fellowship is open to established and emerging scholars with research projects that would benefit from engaging with collections pertaining to the 10/27 attack and its aftermath. While the entire project does not have to be focused on 10/27 or exclusively use local materials, the collections should comprise a significant portion of the research.

The selected Fellow will also be expected to return to Pittsburgh to present a public lecture based on their research. The committee will therefore be seeking a scholar who will recognize the importance of their work to the local community, and have the ability to communicate effectively and sensitively to a population still recovering from significant trauma.

Please submit applications no later than March 15, 2024. Applicants can expect to hear back by the second week of April.

To apply, please send to kranson@pitt.edu:

1.         A current CV consisting of no more than 5 pages

2.         A research proposal of approximately 1000 words that includes:

a.         A clear description of your research project and publication goals

b.         An explanation of how the archival collections in Pittsburgh will support your research

c.         A timeline for when you intend to come to Pittsburgh, and approximately when you would be ready to return to Pittsburgh to give a talk

d.         ABD graduate students should also include a letter of support from an advisor

For more information about the fellowship please reach out to Eric Lidji, Director of the Rauh Jewish Archives (eslidji@heinzhistorycenter.org) or Rachel Kranson, Director of Jewish Studies at the University of Pittsburgh (Kranson@pitt.edu)