Nathan & Sarah Chesin and Bernard & Mollie Steuer JDC Archives Fellowships Grant

The Nathan & Sarah Chesin and Bernard & Mollie Steuer Fellowships, established by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) in 2019, support scholars in graduate, post-doctoral, or independent research in the JDC Archives. With a rich collection documenting modern Jewish history, the fellowship encourages innovative research in humanitarian assistance and related fields. Each year, one fellowship is awarded, culminating in a public presentation by the recipient, fostering a greater understanding of the Jewish experience.

Today, JDC works in more than 70 countries and in Israel to alleviate hunger and hardship, rescue Jews in danger, create lasting connections to Jewish life, and provide immediate relief and long-term development support for victims of natural and man-made disasters.
The JDC Archives documents the activities of the organization, from its inception in 1914 to the present. The repository houses one of the most significant collections in the world for the study of modern Jewish history. Comprising the organizational records of JDC, the overseas rescue, relief, and rehabilitation arm of the American Jewish community, the archives includes over three miles of text documents; 150,000 photographs; 1,100 audio recordings, including oral histories, historic speeches, and broadcasts; and 1,300 video recordings. JDC’s historic films comprise another invaluable resource, ranging from the late 1920s to 1979.
Fellowship Program
The JDC Archives is pleased to present its Fellowship program. Research topics in the fields of twentieth century Jewish history, general history, and humanitarian assistance will be considered, as well as other areas of academic research covered in the JDC archival collections.
Fellowship holders agree to deliver a public presentation on their research.
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.
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.

Eligibility

Scholars engaged in graduate level, post-doctoral, or independent study to conduct research in the JDC Archives.