This program is made possible with a generous donation from J. Michael and Alice Smith in honor of Sara Halpern
To support the Hyman Mentorship Program, you can make a donation.
Program Co-directors: Melissa Weininger and Sara Ronis
The Paula Hyman Memorial Mentorship Program invites applications for its 2024–2025 academic year cohort. The program was established in 2014 in memory of Professor Paula Hyman (1946–2011), a pioneering scholar of Jewish history and a dedicated mentor to women in Jewish Studies.
The program pairs emerging scholars with experienced mentors, while also building a strong network among the cohort through group workshops. Further, the program focuses on professional development for early career scholars from underrepresented genders. This can include cis women, trans women, trans men, non-binary people, and those who are otherwise marginalized for their gender identity.
Our primary programming this year will take place virtually on January 6–7, 2025, two weeks after the AJS Annual Conference. There will also be at least four required Zoom meetings during the 2024 - 2025 academic year, one in the fall and 3 or 4 in the spring.
Applications are due May 31, 2024.
Please direct any questions about the program to Dr. Sara Ronis at sronis@stmarytx.edu or Dr. Melissa Weininger, at melissa.weininger@csun.edu.
The Hyman Mentorship Program will be offering a workshop on Wednesday, May 15 at 8 AM PST/10AM CST/11AM EST/5PM Central European Standard Time with Dr. Allison Schachter on how to prepare a strong application to the program. Attendance is not required, but this workshop will offer helpful strategies for applying to this and other fellowships. You can register for the workshop here. Zoom invites will be sent to those who register.
Qualifications
Applicants must:
• be a current AJS members
• have received or will receive a PhD between January 1, 2018 and August 30, 2024
• be available to attend the virtual workshop taking place January 6–7, 2025
We are committed to making conference attendance possible for everyone. If you have concerns relating to the cost of attendance or dependent care obligations, know that we will do our utmost to make it financially feasible for you to attend.
Application Instructions
Complete applications, to be submitted through Interfolio, include:
• a CV
• a two-page cover letter including 1) a description of current research and publications, 2) a statement about why you would like to participate in this mentorship program, and 3) (optional)
a list of up to three more senior scholars in Jewish Studies who might serve as mentors. They need not be in the same subfield as the applicant.*
* Please do not contact potential mentors. The program’s steering committee will reach
out to these mentors and often looks for matches beyond the suggestions it receives.
• Contact information for two academic references
Submit your application: https://apply.interfolio.com/144987
Congratulations to the 2023–2024 Paula Hyman Memorial Mentorship Program participants:
• Sari Fein (Smith College) with mentor Sarit Kattan Gribetz (Fordham University)
• Samantha Pickette (Brandeis University Hillel) with mentor Claire Sufrin (Shalom Hartman Institute of North America)
• Shulamit Shinnar (Florida State University) with mentor Helene Sinnreich (University of Tennessee, Knoxville)
• Kelsey Spinnato (High Point University) with mentor Eva Mroczek (University of California, Davis)
• Amanda Stein (Carroll University) with mentor Kerry Wallach (Gettysburg College)
• Naomi Taub (University of California, Los Angeles) with mentor Sarah Imhoff (Indiana University)
