Strassler Center at Clark University

More accolades for Strassler Center Affiliated Professor and Associate Professor of History and the Michael and Lisa Leffell Chair in Modern Jewish History Dr. Elizabeth Imber! Her book, Uncertain Empire: Jews, Nationalism, and the Fate of British Imperialism, has been awarded the Salo Baron Prize by the American Academy for Jewish Research and was named a co-winner of the Shapiro Award for Best Book in Israel Studies by the Association for Israel Studies.

Congratulations, Dr. Imber, on these well-deserved honors!

https://aisisraelstudies.org/ais-2026-award-winners/
https://aajr.org/.../2025-baron-book-prize-awarded.../

2025 Baron Book Prize Awarded: Elizabeth E. Imber – AAJR 2025 Baron Book Prize Awarded: Elizabeth E. Imber Posted on June 22, 2026 admin2021 The American Academy for Jewish Research is pleased to announce the winner of its annual Salo Baron Prize for the best first book in Jewish studies published in calendar year 2025. The prize honors: Elizabeth E. Imbe...

Congratulations to the Center's incoming David P. Angel Chair, Dr. Ashley Valanzola, on the publication of her recent book, When She Remembered.

When She Remembered showcases an intertwined group of seven influential women, from well-known figures such as Simone Veil to memory activist Sabine Zlatin, who shaped the production of Holocaust memory in France from 1945 to the present.

https://www.amazon.com/When-She-Remembered-Transformed-Holocaust/dp/0253075815

We celebrate Dr. Valanzola’s important contribution to the study of memory, history, and the enduring legacy of Holocaust remembrance.

As many of you may have heard, Thomas Kühne has stepped down as Director of the Strassler Center. He will return to his faculty and scholarly work, including a research sabbatical during the coming academic year. While it is bittersweet to see him leave this leadership role, we are pleased that he will have the opportunity to devote greater attention to his research and teaching.

At the same time, we are delighted that Ken MacLean will serve as Interim Director of the Center during the 2026–27 academic year.

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs John Magee aptly captured Thomas's contributions:

“I want to express my sincere appreciation to Thomas Kühne for his service as Director. Over the past several years, he has provided steady and thoughtful leadership during a period of meaningful work and transition for the Center, including guiding the recently completed self-study. This has also been a time of broader challenge and heightened visibility for scholars and centers working in Holocaust and Genocide Studies, and Thomas has led the Center with care, seriousness of purpose, and a deep commitment to its mission. This work has helped position the Center well as it prepares for its external review, and I am grateful for the strong foundation it provides.”

We extend our gratitude to Thomas for his dedicated leadership and many contributions to the Center. We also look forward to working with Ken as he guides the Center through the coming year and helps build upon this strong foundation.

Congratulations to the Center’s student assistant, Jennifer Krulisz-Hossain, on earning her Master’s in Public Administration at yesterday’s graduation ceremonies. Over the past three years, Jen has been an invaluable part of the Center, and her dedication, professionalism, and positive spirit will be deeply missed by everyone. We are incredibly proud of all she has accomplished and have no doubt that she will continue on to do amazing things.

Congratulations to our new PhD graduates! Dr. Hana Green, Dr. Diana Hayrapetyan, and Dr. Emil Kjerte (not pictured). We are so proud of your accomplishments.

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Valanzola to the Strassler Center!

Clark appoints inaugural David Angel Endowed Chair in Holocaust Pedagogy and Antisemitism Studies Dr. Ashley Valanzola has been appointed the inaugural David P. Angel Endowed Chair in Holocaust Pedagogy and Antisemitism Studies.

Good conversations with Aleksandar Hemon, Frances Tanzer, Sandra Grudić '25, Alina Bojcic and Nitzan Lebovic

The Center was so happy to host, in collaboration with Lehigh University’s Berman Center for Jewish Studies, a fantastic group of scholars, writers, and artists over the last two days at our "Never Always Again" workshop. It explored the history and meaning of “never again,” focusing on a central paradox: whether it is applied to a specific group or to all people, the phrase can unintentionally create the conditions for repetition rather than prevention.

Author Aleksandar Hemon speaking about the Logic of Genocide at today's "Never Always Again" workshop co-sponsored by Lehigh University’s Berman Center for Jewish Studies.

Many on hand listening to the Center's Asher Lecture "All Men Are Brothers: Bundist Resistance in Nazi-Occupied Poland.” with speaker Molly Crabapple. Co-sponsored by Lehigh University’s Berman Center for Jewish Studies.