During the Holocaust, many musicians and other artists were persecuted by the Nazis, some because they were Jewish, others because of the content of their art. If you are interested in learning more about this subject, we invite you to apply for the 2013-2014 Gideon Klein Award, a $5000 award to study the work of artists (musicians, painters, writers, filmmakers, and others) who were persecuted by the Nazis. The Award is open to students in any major. The Gideon Klein Scholar will either create an original work, prepare a performance, or do research. At the end of the academic year, he/she will offer a public presentation at Northeastern and archive the project on the Jewish Studies website. Students at Northeastern, Hebrew College, and the New England Conservatory are eligible to apply.
To apply, please submit a one- to two-page proposal, a résumé, and one faculty recommendation to Prof. Lori Lefkovitz, Director of Jewish Studies, no later than March 1, 2013. The proposal should describe the projected performance, work, or research and the reasons for pursuing the chosen topic. Selection will be based on the creativity and appropriateness of the topic and on overall academic achievement. Please email applications to Prof. Lefkovitz at l.lefkovitz@neu.edu or mail them to the 405 Lake Hall, 360 Huntington Ave, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115. If you have any questions, please contact Professor Jenny Sartori or Professor of Music Josh Jacobson j.jacobson@neu.edu.
This award honors the memory of Gideon Klein, brilliant pianist and composer, who was imprisoned in Terezin and other concentration camps until his death in 1945. While in Terezin, Klein inspired other musicians to compose and share their music with others in most difficult circumstances. The award was established in 1997 by Prof. Bill Giessen in memory of his mother, Gustel Cormann Giessen.
Current and Previous Gideon Klein Scholars
2012-2013: Heather Viola (Northeastern University, International Affairs and Human Services major), Children’s Music in Terezin
2011-2012: Emili Kaufman (Northeastern University, Communications Studies major), Art of Felix Nussbaum
2010-2011: Lynn Torgove, (Hebrew College, Cantorial Ordination Program) FRAUENSTIMMEN: Women’s Voices from Ravensbrück http://nuweb9.neu.edu/jewishstudies/wp-content/uploads/Frauenstimmen2.mov
2009-2010: Jeri Robins, (Hebrew College, Cantorial Ordination Program) Music of the Auschwitz Women’s Orchestra
2008-2009: Julie Stevens (New England Conservatory)
2006-2007: Jonathan Meacham (Northeastern University)
2005-2006: Coleman Goughary (Northeastern University)
2004-2005: Amie Brehm- (Northeastern University) View a clip of Brehm’s presentation of The Young Opera Company of New England in Brundibar, orchestrated as her Gideon Klein project http://nuweb9.neu.edu/jewishstudies/wp-content/uploads/Title_01_01.mp4
2002-2003: Jungmee Kim (Northeastern University)
2001-2002: Melissa Misicka- (Northeastern University) Visit Misicka’s website on musical activites at Terezin, created as her Gideon Klein project http://www.interdisciplinary.neu.edu/terezin/
2000-2001: Fay Gerbes (Northeastern University)
1999-2000: Sarah Heile (Northeastern University)
1998-1999: Virgil Bozeman (Northeastern University)