Project Coordinator, Documenting October 7th on North American College Campuses

Position Title: Project Coordinator, Documenting October 7th on North American College Campuses

Location: Remote – Travel to Various University Campuses

Job Type: Part-Time

Reports To: Project Manager of Bearing Witness International

Project Description: Bearing Witness: Documenting October 7th & Its Aftermath is a collaborative national and global effort, spearheaded by the National Library of Israel, to document October 7th, the war, and its aftermath, both in Israel and in Jewish communities around the world. The October 7th database and archive, centrally hosted by the National Library of Israel, will broadly include digital and physical materials such as oral and written testimonies, video footage, photographs, social media posts, instant messaging platforms, websites, and original writings. Documenting October 7th on North American College Campuses, a part of the National Library of Israel’s Bearing Witness international project, has the goal of collecting material from across North American campuses representing different geographies (East Coast, West Coast, Midwest, Central Region, Southwest, and Canada), and populations (private institutions and public universities and colleges). We are interested in documenting the experiences and actions of Jewish and non-Jewish students, faculty members, and organizations on campus, including responses to October 7th (positions across the political/social spectrum), and antisemitic/anti-Israel experiences in the aftermath. The Project Coordinator will be a crucial part of building a historical archive that will contribute to future research, combat antisemitism, and preserve records of significant events impacting Jewish communities.

Job Summary:

Responsible for identifying and gathering a wide variety of documentation materials (e.g., printed materials, videos, photos, and digital content) from North American campuses both directly and via a network of local student collectors, and collecting other data related to the reactions to October 7th and the growing antisemitism across various college campuses in North America. In addition, the project coordinator will work with vendors and partners to conduct oral testimony collection from specific campuses.

Key Responsibilities:

General:

• Establish and maintain connections with individuals and organizations to facilitate the collection of documents related to the October 7th reactions on college campuses in the North America, including national Jewish organizations working with college students, local/campus organizations, faculty, and students.

Collection Development:

• Collect and curate digital (audio, video, etc.), and physical materials from various college campuses in the North America that document the reactions to October 7th.

• Gather data from various sources including students, student organizations, student testimonials, campus reports, news articles, and social media.

• Collaborate with researchers and experts to develop collection policies.

Metadata and Rights Management:

• Collect relevant metadata (location, date, time, format, and source) for collected materials.

• Manage copyright and intellectual property rights in accordance with library guidelines.

Reporting and Cataloging:

• Prepare materials for cataloging and digital accessibility processes.

• Prepare status reports detailing findings and analyses for internal use and external dissemination.

• Present data and findings as needed.

Engagement and Outreach:

• Liaise with student organizations, university officials, and community groups to gather information

• Develop and maintain relationships with key contacts in the Jewish and non-Jewish community and academic institutions.

Confidentiality and Ethical Standards:

• Ensure all data collection and reporting are conducted with the highest ethical standards.

• Protect the confidentiality of respondents and sensitive information.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Humanities, Social Sciences, or a related field; Master’s degree or advanced studies in contemporary Jewish sociology or anthropology preferred

• Experience in research, data collection, and analysis, preferably related to social issues or hate crimes.

• Strong understanding of antisemitism and issues facing Jewish communities.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; additional languages, especially Hebrew, are a significant advantage.

• Technological literacy, including knowledge of digital material management and familiarity with databases.

• Initiative, creativity, and excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Strong self-management skills, ability to work within an organization, and flexibility in working hours.

• Experience working in a university or academic setting is an advantage

About the Organization:

Founded in Jerusalem in 1892, the National Library of Israel (NLI) serves as the dynamic institution of communal memory for the Jewish people worldwide, and Israelis of all backgrounds and faiths. Since October 7th, the NLI has led a national and international project of unprecedented scope to document, preserve, and make accessible diverse materials related to October 7th and its aftermath both in Israel and throughout the Jewish world. For more information: www.nli.org.il/en

Compensation and Position:

This is a one-year, part-time (20 hours per week) independent contractor position, with the potential for one additional year. Compensation is $35,000.