Marjorie N. Feld

Marjorie N. Feld is Professor of History at Babson College, teaching U.S. social history, gender, labor, and food justice. She serves as the 2025–2026 Louis Apfelbaum and Hortense Braunstein Apfelbaum Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Arts & Sciences for her project 'From the Roots: A History of the Sustainable Jewish Farming Movement'.

Education:

• Ph.D., Brandeis University

Her research centers on Jewish historical activism within U.S. social justice frameworks, examining intersections of gender, labor, and food systems. She investigates sustainable agriculture movements, Zionist critique, and anti-apartheid advocacy through rigorous historical analysis, bridging academic scholarship with contemporary political discourse on equity and environmental stewardship.

Her publications reveal consistent thematic depth in Jewish social history, evolving from biographical studies of reformers like Lillian Wald to critical analyses of political movements. Recent works emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, connecting sustainable food pedagogy with historical consciousness and examining how Jewish communities navigate global justice issues across decades.

Scientific Awards:

• Saul Viener Book Prize (American Jewish Historical Society, 2008) for Lillian Wald: A Biography
• NPR 'Books We Love' selection (2024) for The Threshold of Dissent

Feld actively contributes to public scholarship through her Academic Advisory Council role at Jewish Voice for Peace and ongoing research fellowships. Her current sustainable farming project exemplifies her commitment to translating historical insights into actionable frameworks for contemporary social and environmental challenges, supported by institutional recognition including the University of Pennsylvania fellowship.