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About Us / Fellowships and Grants

Fellowship Opportunities

The Fred and Ellen Lewis Fellowships

The Fred and Ellen Lewis/JDC Archives Fellowships were established in 2011 with a generous gift to the JDC Archives from the estate of Ellen Lewis, a longtime JDC employee who worked for JDC from 1947–1985. Two (2) fellowships will be awarded each year to deserving scholars engaged in graduate level, post-doctoral, or independent study to conduct research in the JDC Archives. The amount granted will range be $2,500 per fellow. Qualified candidates are encouraged to click the links below to apply.

Please access the JDC Archives’ finding aids here.

For more information, please contact us.

    The Ruth and David Musher Fellowship

    The Ruth and David Musher/JDC Archives Fellowship was established in 2014 with a generous gift from Ruth and David Musher, supporters of JDC who have deep roots in the American Jewish Community, as well as a long-time commitment to Jewish education and academic research and scholarship. One (1) fellowship will be awarded each year to a deserving scholar engaged in graduate level, post-doctoral, or independent study to conduct research in the JDC Archives. The amount granted will be $2,500 per fellow per year. Qualified candidates are encouraged to click the links below to apply.

    Please access the JDC Archives’ finding aids here.

    For more information, please contact us.

      The Sorrell and Lorraine Chesin Fellowship

      The Sorrell and Lorraine Chesin/JDC Archives Fellowship was established in 2015 with a generous gift from Dr. Sorrell and Lorraine Chesin, supporters of JDC who have deep roots in the field of higher education, as well as a long-time commitment to academic research and scholarship. One (1) fellowship will be awarded each year to a deserving scholar engaged in graduate level, post-doctoral, or independent study to conduct research in the JDC Archives. The amount granted will be $2,500. Dr. Sorrell Chesin has dedicated his career to the advancement of higher education. His long tenure at the State University of New York at Albany from 1965-2013 included serving as Executive Director of the University at Albany Foundation. Dr. Chesin continues his involvement with the university, serving on the Board of Directors and in leadership positions at the UAlbany Emeritus Center, an association of several hundred retired faculty, administrators, and professionals who were granted emeritus status upon retirement.

      Lorraine Chesin began her career in arts education before transitioning to the field of social work. She served in administrative positions at the Rensselaer County Department of Mental Health in Troy, NY, for many years, retiring as Commissioner. Since her retirement in 2002, Lorraine Chesin has pursued her longtime interest in art and has presented her work in many exhibitions.

      “Because we both have had a good education, meaningful careers, and a satisfying life together, we want to share our good fortune. We have valued hard work, perseverance and exploration and are committed to encourage and reward the continuation of these values.”

      —Sorrell and Lorraine Chesin

      Qualified candidates are encouraged to click the links below to apply.

      Please access the JDC Archives’ finding aids here.

      For more information, please contact us.

      The Max and Cecil (Steuer) Chesin Fellowship

      The Max and Cecil (Steuer) Chesin/JDC Archives Fellowship was established in 2017 with a generous gift from Dr. Sorrell and Lorraine Chesin to honor Max and Cecil (Steuer) Chesin, the parents of Sorrell Chesin. One (1) fellowship will be awarded each year to a deserving scholar from outside the United States engaged in graduate level, post-doctoral, or independent study to conduct research in the JDC Archives. The amount granted will be $2,500.

      “Their journeys as young immigrants to America were a hopeful voyage into the unknown. Fate brought them together. From tentative but determined beginnings, nourished by perseverance and commitment…as with research…, a family grew that bestows its respect and love to them. I am pleased to establish this JDC Archives Research Fellowship on behalf of my parents.” —Sorrell E. Chesin, Ph.D.

      Qualified candidates are encouraged to click the links below to apply.

      Please access the JDC Archives’ finding aids here.

      For more information, please contact us.

      The Nathan & Sarah Chesin and Bernard & Mollie Steuer Fellowships

      The Nathan & Sarah Chesin and Bernard & Mollie Steuer / JDC Archives Fellowships were established in 2019 with a generous gift from Dr. Sorrell and Lorraine Chesin to honor Nathan and Sarah Chesin and Bernard and Mollie Steuer, the grandparents of Sorrell Chesin. The Bernard & Mollie Steuer Fellowship and the Nathan & Sarah Chesin Fellowship will be awarded on alternate years. The first Bernard and Mollie Steuer Fellowship was awarded in 2019.

      “They joined the millions of immigrants who flocked to America in the early 1900s to build new lives for themselves and their children, lives that offered opportunities to advance socially and economically, to enjoy the freedoms of this nation and, hopefully, a brighter future. They were committed to accomplish this through hard work, encouraging education to their next generation and adhering to traditional family values. One family came from Russia and the other from Austria but fate would bring them together. I am pleased to establish this JDC Archives Research Fellowship in memory of my grandparents.”

      —Sorrell Chesin, Ph.D.

      One (1) fellowship will be awarded each year to a deserving scholar engaged in graduate level, post-doctoral, or independent study to conduct research in the JDC Archives. The amount granted will be $2,500.

      Qualified candidates are encouraged to click the links below to apply.

      Please access the JDC Archives’ finding aids here.

      For more information, please contact us.

      The following fellowships are no longer available:

      The Ruth and David Musher JDC Archives Regional Fellowship

      The Ruth and David Musher/JDC Archives Regional Fellowship was established to support regional research focused on Israel and North African Jewish communities. Awarded to four scholars from 2018–2022, this fellowship was sponsored by Ruth and David Musher, supporters of JDC, who have deep roots in the American Jewish community and a long-time commitment to Jewish education, academic research and scholarship.

      The Martin and Rhoda Safer JDC Archives Fellowship

      The Martin and Rhoda Safer/JDC Archives Fellowship was established in 2016 by the family of Brian and Fae Safer in loving memory of his parents, to recognize the importance of the educational efforts of the JDC. One (1) fellowship was awarded in both 2016 and 2017 to a deserving scholar engaged in graduate level, post-doctoral, or independent study to conduct research in the JDC Archives.