YIVO and Ben-Gurion University Announce New Fellowship in Jewish Studies
(New York, NY) – The YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, in partnership with Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, is delighted to announce the launch of the YIVO - Ben-Gurion University Fellowship in Jewish Studies.
This inaugural fellowship, made possible by the generous support of Elisabeth and Max Gitter, is designed to advance original research in Jewish history, literature, or religious studies, utilizing the unparalleled collections of the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research in New York City. The YIVO Archives and Library house the world’s largest collection of Yiddish-language works and a vast array of manuscripts, rare books, and archival materials documenting the history and culture of Central and East European Jewry and the American Jewish immigrant experience.
The first fellowship will be awarded in 2025. The recipient will receive a stipend to support three months of research at the YIVO Archives and Library in New York City. Upon completion of their research, the fellow will present their findings to the public in a program hosted at YIVO, which will also be broadcast globally.
This new fellowship underscores YIVO’s and Ben-Gurion University’s shared commitment to fostering innovative scholarship in Jewish studies and supporting the next generation of researchers.
"BGU is delighted to enter into this partnership with YIVO facilitated by a dear friend of both institutions, Max Gitter. We hope that this collaboration is the first of many with YIVO," said Rector Prof. Chaim Hames of Ben-Gurion University.
"For many years, YIVO has sought ways of strengthening ties to Israeli institutions and we see this partnership with BGU as an essential part of this effort that will broaden understanding of our shared Eastern European heritage. We are indebted to Elisabeth and Max Gitter for their generosity and vision," said Jonathan Brent, CEO & Executive Director of the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research.
For any media inquiries please contact:
Shelly Freeman
Chief of Staff
Ehud Zion Waldoks
Deputy Spokesperson, International Media
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
YIVO
The YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, now in its Centennial year, is dedicated to the preservation and study of the history and culture of East European Jewry worldwide. For a century, YIVO has pioneered new forms of Jewish scholarship, research, education, and cultural expression. Our public programs and exhibitions, as well as online and on-site courses, extend our outreach to a global community. The YIVO Archives contains 24 million unique items and YIVO’s Library has over 400,000 volumes—the single largest resource for the study of East European Jewish life in the world. yivo.org / yivo.org/the-whole-story
About Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) is an internationally acclaimed research institution inspired by David Ben-Gurion's vision of the Negev desert as a source of solutions for Israel and the world. BGU is a hub of innovation in critical areas such as cybersecurity, climate change mitigation, water tech, and health tech. Leveraging its expertise, the University anchors a thriving ecosystem of multinational corporations, startups, and R&D centers. BGU's commitment to inclusion and interdisciplinary collaboration drives transformative research and sustainable social change, shaping a brighter future for Israel and the world.
At a Glance
20,000 students | 800 senior faculty | 3 campuses: Beer-Sheva, Sde Boker, Eilat | 6 faculties: Humanities & Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Natural Sciences, Business & Management, Desert Research