Museums: Making the Multiple Strands of History Accessible and Meaningful

As the field of history considers how different disciplines can enrich the study of the past, it is critical, as this panel explores, to consider what the skills of an historian can contribute to other realms, even those beyond the academy.  In recent years, many scholars and graduate students have become a bit consumed by the "crisis in  he humanities" and the shrinking job market.  But far from a crisis, this new reality offers PhD in history more opportunities to use their skills in new realms.  Indeed, Jewish history PhDs have long found opportunities outside of the traditional university setting to deploy the skills gained through their training. Numerous Jewish cultural
institutions, such as museums, archives, historical societies, political organizations and the like, have benefited from these scholars' decision to use their skills beyond the academy and this pool of highly-trained critical thinkers . What lessons can the
experience of Jewish Studies PhDs offer other fields in the humanities? What special challenges can arise when PhDs go to work outside the academy?  As this panel will highlight through its three panelists, there is much to discuss and gain from considering how to use one's PhD in other realms.  Annie Polland is the vice president for programming at the Lower East Side Tenement Museum, will speak about how her PhD aided in her work in the museum world.  Rona Sheramy will discuss her work in the realm of learned societies and Felicia Herman will discuss how she shifted to the arena of non-profit management and working with private philanthropists.