The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) is the world’s leading Jewish humanitarian assistance organization. Since 1914, JDC has exemplified that all Jews are responsible for one another and for improving the well-being of vulnerable people around the world. 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; 100,000 photographs; 1100 audio recordings, including oral histories, historic speeches and broadcasts; and 1300 video recordings. JDC’s historic films comprise another invaluable resource, ranging from the late 1920’s to 1979.

The JDC Archives is pleased to announce that it is accepting applications for its 2018 fellowship program. In 2018, 6 fellowships will be awarded to senior scholars, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and independent researchers to conduct research in the JDC Archives, either in New York or in Jerusalem.

Research topics in the fields of twentieth-century Jewish history, modern history, social welfare, migration, and humanitarian assistance will be considered, as well as other areas of academic research covered in the JDC archival collections. For more information, and to apply, visit http://archives.jdc.org/about-us/fellowships-and-grants-general-information 

The fellowship awards are $2,000-$5,000. The deadline to submit applications is January 15, 2018.
The JDC Archives’ online database with documents, photographs, and a names index is available at http://archives.jdc.org/search-the-archives. Finding aids can be accessed at http://archives.jdc.org/explore-the-archives/finding-aids