Dr Monika Rice Awarded Kosciuszko Grant - Seton Hall University
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Information about the conference
The Poznan University of Medical Sciences, the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg,
the German Historical Institute and the Jewish Historical Institute sponsored the
conference, which hosted noted scholars from around the world from September 9-11,
2015 at the Jewish Historical Institute in Warsaw, Poland. Over these three days,
scholars explored various aspects of the theme, Jewish-German-Polish: histories and traditions in medical culture(s).
Description of Dr. Rice's presentation
Dr. Rice's paper, "My soll sich zejn in Erec Izrael" (We Should Be in Israel): Dilemmas
of Polish-Jewish Doctors in Postwar Poland," explored various patterns in which Polish-Jewish
physicians attempted to reestablish their identity after World War II. Building on
a close reading of memoirs, diaries and testimonies, Dr. Rice described how some Jewish-Polish
physicians emerged from the war with a will to carry on their noble art of healing
in Poland, no matter the circumstances, while others, finding the circumstances intolerable,
emigrated rather than continue their work in Poland.
The research Dr. Rice presented at the conference was part of an extensive project on which she is currently working about the postwar identities of Polish-Jewish doctors. Additional aspects of her work will be published in Yad Vashem Studies in December 2015.
About Dr. Rice
Monika Rice, Ph.D., is Adjunct Professor of Catholic Studies and Jewish-Christian
Studies in the Department of Catholic Studies. A specialist in Holocaust studies,
Catholic-Jewish and Polish-Jewish relations and the history of Polish Jews, Dr. Rice
earned her Ph.D. in Near-Eastern and Judaic Studies at Brandeis University and her
M.A. and B.A. in Cultural Anthropology at the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poland.
Dr. Rice teaches the courses Modern Women of Faith and the Catholic-Jewish Dialogue on the Holocaust: A Catholic Perspective. The former course is cross-listed in the undergraduate Women and Gender Studies Program and the latter is cross-listed in the Jewish-Christian Studies Graduate Program. Dr. Rice has also helped develop the upcoming study abroad course, The Catholic Church and Jews in Poland.
To learn more about the Department of Catholic Studies and/or Dr. Monika Rice's research, please contact Dr. Ines Murzaku at Ines.Murzaku@shu.edu or (973) 275-5845.
About the Department of Catholic Studies
The Department of Catholic Studies was established at Seton Hall University in 2012
during the Year of Faith and the 50th anniversary of the opening of Vatican II. In
December 2013 the Holy Father, Pope Francis, imparted the Apostolic Blessing to Seton
Hall University to commemorate the founding of the Department of Catholic Studies
program, making Seton Hall the first and only university in the United States to claim
such a rare honor.
The Department of Catholic Studies fosters Seton Hall University's Catholic identity and mission, globally promotes Catholic thought and culture through its publications and lecture series and prepares students to become servant leaders through its academic and study abroad programs. These programs are led by faculty who explore Catholicism's rich intellectual tradition and living heritage across a variety of disciplines including history, modern Catholicism, philosophy, theology, social service, art, music and literature. Moreover, the Catholic Studies undergraduate program offers a custom-built curriculum that affords students the opportunity to major, double major, minor, double minor or earn a certificate in Catholic Studies. For more information, click here »
