The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Dalhousie University invites
applications for The Simon and Riva Spatz Chair in Jewish Studies. This
appointment will be a tenured position at the rank of Associate or Full Professor.
The successful candidate should be an exceptional scholar of international
reputation, with a proven track-record suitable to a Research Chair at a major
university.
The Chair is inclusive of scholars from a wide variety of arts, humanities, and
social science backgrounds. Dalhousie welcomes applications from scholars
engaged in teaching and research related to Classical Judaism; Jewish
Philosophy and Thought; Jewish History and Social Sciences; Jewish Cultures,
Languages, and Literatures; Judaism and the performing and visual arts;
Holocaust studies; or contemporary Middle Eastern politics. Candidates are
expected to have broad expertise and documented research and teaching
experience in several areas and/or historical periods treated within Jewish
Studies, as well as a working knowledge of the primary languages within Jewish
Studies, especially Hebrew.
The Spatz Chair in Jewish Studies is intended to bring a distinguished scholar
to Halifax to share their expertise with students and faculty at Dalhousie
University, with the closely-affiliated University of King's College, and with
members of the broader Halifax community; to lead new initiatives in the field
SPATZ CHAIR IN JEWISH STUDIES
3
of Jewish Studies at Dalhousie and beyond; and to foster excellence in research, teaching, and outreach in the field.
The Spatz Chair in Jewish Studies will teach two 3-credit-hour courses per year in their home unit (normally, one each in the Fall and Winter terms, to include both introductory and more specialized courses in their field of expertise); give at least one public talk in each of the two terms; and participate in community outreach and knowledge mobilization. As a Research Chair, they will engage in a rigorous research program as appropriate to their discipline and fields of study. The Spatz Chair will also be expected to initiate and be involved in cross-faculty initiatives at the university and to coordinate projects across academic and non-academic sectors. Building on existing academic units including the Religious Studies program and the Minor in Abrahamic Religions, as well as faculty members' interests and current courses, the Chair will work towards establishing a robust program in Jewish Studies at Dalhousie University.
Dalhousie University is currently engaged in numerous fruitful collaborations with the Jewish community, including among others the annual Shaar Shalom Lecture. The Spatz Chair in Jewish Studies will be expected to contribute to planning for these and related initiatives.
The start date is negotiable between July 1, 2021 to July 1, 2022.
Dalhousie University is committed to fostering a collegial culture grounded in diversity and inclusiveness. The university encourages applications from Indigenous persons, persons with a disability, racially visible persons, women, persons of a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. For more information, please visit this link.
4
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
Candidates who wish to apply for this position should do so through this link by June 7, 2021. Link: https://dal.peopleadmin.ca/postings/5868
A complete application package for this position will include:
 a cover letter
 a detailed curriculum vitae
 a two-page research statement
 a two-page statement on the proposed research and teaching program for the Spatz Chair in Jewish Studies
 the names and contact information for three referees.
Applicants are encouraged to include, in their cover letter, an explanation of the impact that any career interruptions may have had on their record of research achievement.
Dalhousie University recognizes its obligation to accommodate candidates in order to ensure full, fair, and equitable participation in the hiring process. Our complete Accommodation Policy can be viewed online at: www.dal.ca/policies.
For further information about this position, or to request accommodation at any stage of the hiring process, please contact Laura Godsoe at laura.godsoe@dal.ca.
For academic-related questions please contact Professor Yuri Leving, Chair of the Search Committee for The Simon and Riva Spatz Visiting Chair in Jewish Studies at yleving@dal.ca.