Dr. Meir Ben-Shahar is a faculty member teaching in the Department of Jewish History at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Sha'anan College. He received his Ph.D. in Jewish History from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Dr. Ben-Shahar's research focuses on historical consciousness in ancient Judaism , with particular expertise in rabbinic literature , Second Temple literature , and the works of Josephus . His scholarly approach examines how historical narratives were constructed and transmitted in ancient Jewish communities, providing insights into the development of Jewish identity and thought during critical historical periods. His publication Rabbi Akiva's Laugh: The Hidden Call for the Bar Kokhba Revolt demonstrates his interest in analyzing subtle textual cues within rabbinic literature that may reflect historical events and political contexts of the time. Dr. Ben-Shahar's work contributes to our understanding of how ancient Jewish communities processed historical trauma and maintained cultural continuity through literary and religious expression.
Dr. John Ahn is an Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible at Howard University School of Divinity (HUSD). He holds a PhD in Religious Studies from Yale University, and advanced degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and New York University. His research focuses on historical and social reconstructions of 6th-5th century BCE Judah/Israel, employing ANE languages, paleoclimatology, and social theories like cultural memory and forced migration studies. He leads academic guilds including the 'Return Migrations in Biblical Literature' (SBL) and chairs the Journal of Black Religious Thought. Education: PhD in Religious Studies (Yale University) STM (Yale Divinity School, Class Marshal) MDiv (Princeton Theological Seminary, Seminary Fellow) BA in Linguistics & Religious Studies (NYU, Phi Beta Kappa) Research Interests: Dr. Ahn investigates forced migration narratives (e.g., exile/return), ancient Judah’s socio-historical contexts, and intertextual traditions. He bridges ancient texts with contemporary societal issues through methodologies like trauma studies and generational consciousness. His work emphasizes canonical consciousness and ethical actualizations in modern contexts. Publications Highlight: His 15+ monographs include Exile as Forced Migrations (2010) and Landscapes of Korean Biblical Interpretation (2019). Recent articles explore diaspora politics, memory studies, and ethical hermeneutics. Awards: Recognized for academic excellence (Phi Beta Kappa, NYU’s highest GPA citation) and leadership in biblical guilds. Served as Mid-Atlantic SBL President and Korean Biblical Colloquium leader. Advising & Grants: As PI of the Lilly-funded Pathways Grant at Howard, he develops programs integrating biblical studies with social justice. He mentors students through NGO projects in Africa, Ukraine, and beyond. Ministry & Beyond: Ordained in the Korean Presbyterian Church, he has four senior pastorships spanning 30+ years. Former NCAA volleyball athlete, married with three children.
Dr. Naomi Koltun-Fromm serves as Associate Professor of Religion at Haverford College, where she contributes to the academic study of religious traditions. She earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in Jewish Studies from Stanford University, establishing her scholarly foundation in ancient religious texts and interpretation. Her research expertise spans Jewish Studies, Biblical Studies, and Hermeneutics , with particular focus on ancient Jewish and Christian notions of sexuality and religious community. Dr. Koltun-Fromm examines how religious texts construct frameworks of holiness and communal identity, bridging historical analysis with contemporary religious understanding. Her methodological approach combines textual criticism with cultural studies to explore the intersection of religious practice and social organization in antiquity. Dr. Koltun-Fromm's publications reveal consistent engagement with biblical interpretation across Jewish and Christian traditions, particularly examining how sacred spaces and textual harmonizations shape religious consciousness. Her work demonstrates sophisticated analysis of how ancient communities navigated questions of holiness, access to the divine, and religious authority through textual construction.
Daniel L. Smith is an Associate Professor in the Department of Theological Studies at Saint Louis University's College of Arts and Sciences. His scholarship bridges New Testament studies, Second Temple Judaism, and ancient rhetorical theory, with a focus on Luke-Acts, the Pauline epistles, and early Jewish-Christian literary interactions. His educational background includes a Ph.D. in Theology (Christianity and Judaism) and an M.A. in Early Christian Studies, both from the University of Notre Dame. Ph.D. in Theology (Christianity and Judaism), University of Notre Dame, 2011 M.A. in Early Christian Studies, University of Notre Dame, 2005 Smith’s research centers on the rhetorical and narrative strategies in ancient texts, particularly how memory, genre, and historical consciousness shape the New Testament and related Jewish writings. His work explores interruptions in speech in Luke-Acts, the use of fables in Paul, and how ancient communities remembered the wilderness generation. He is deeply engaged in understanding the intersection of Greco-Roman, Jewish, and early Christian discourses. His publications reflect a sustained engagement with rhetorical criticism, intertextuality, and historical theology. He has authored a monograph on interruption in Luke-Acts and co-edited a volume on testing and temptation. His articles appear in leading journals such as Journal of Biblical Literature , New Testament Studies , and Journal for the Study of the New Testament . The body of work shows a consistent focus on narrative structure, rhetorical subversion, and the theological use of memory in antiquity. Smith has received significant recognition for his scholarship, including: Humboldt Research Fellowship for Postdoctoral Researchers (2016–2017) Summer Research Award in the Humanities, SLU (2015, 2014) Mellon Faculty Development Grant, SLU (2013) He actively contributes to the academic community through memberships in the Society of Biblical Literature, North American Patristics Society, Institute for Biblical Research, and the Catholic Biblical Association. He also serves in community outreach through the Saint Louis University Prison Program and youth education at the Church of St. Michael & St. George. There is no indication of advising relationships with graduate students in the provided text, nor mention of external grants beyond internal SLU funding.
Stephen B. Chapman is an Associate Professor of Old Testament at Duke University's Divinity School, serving since 2008. Previously, he held positions as Assistant Professor (2001–2008) and Director of Graduate Studies (2017–2020). He earned his Ph.D., M.Phil., M.Div., and B.A. from Yale University. His research focuses on biblical canon formation, Old Testament theology, and the intersection of biblical narratives with Christian tradition and modernity. Education: PhD (1998), M.Phil (1994), M.Div (1990), and B.A. (1984) from Yale University. Research Interests: Includes the Old Testament as Christian scripture, dynamics of biblical narrative, biblical violence, and the theological interpretation of scripture. Key areas include canon formation, textual criticism, and the role of the Old Testament in Western culture and Christian tradition. Grants: Recipient of Wabash Center grants for teaching programs (2013–2014) and fostering a culture of teaching (2017–2022). Collaborations with publishers like Baker Book House, Cambridge University Press, and Eerdmans Publishing Company. Teaching: Courses include Old Testament Interpretation, Biblical Theology, and historical studies of Israel. Recent courses: OLDTEST 752: Old Testament Interpretation I NEWTEST 865: Biblical Theology OLDTEST 891: History of Biblical Interpretation in Modernity Labs/Teams: Active in Divinity School initiatives promoting theological interpretation and biblical scholarship. Engaged in interdisciplinary collaborations addressing modern theological challenges.
Aubrey E. Buster serves as Assistant Professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College (IL), holding a Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible from Emory University. Her academic profile centers on Second Temple Judaism and biblical memory formation. Her research focuses on Old Testament exegesis , particularly historical narratives in Second Temple Judaism and memory formation processes within ancient Israelite communities. Current work includes completing the NICOT series volume on Daniel with Dr. John H. Walton. Recent publications demonstrate expertise in Psalm interpretation and divine imagery , with trends showing deep engagement with textual duality in salvation narratives and mythic warrior motifs. The single documented article analyzes Psalm 18's contrasting depictions of YHWH as both cosmic warrior and human battle-empowerer. Buster's scholarly contributions include the 2022 monograph Remembering the Story of Israel: Historical Summaries and Memory Formation in Second Temple Judaism (Cambridge University Press), establishing her authority in biblical historical consciousness studies.
Everett Fox serves as the Allen M. Glick Professor of Judaic and Biblical Studies at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, specializing in Hebrew Bible translation and interpretation. His research focuses on maintaining the literary power and Hebrew linguistic flavor in English translations of biblical texts. Fox's scholarly approach emphasizes the narrative structure and poetic elements of the Torah and Early Prophets, arguing that preserving the original's stylistic elements is crucial for authentic interpretation. His major publications include The Five Books of Moses (1995) and The Early Prophets (2014), both part of The Schocken Bible series. His recent work examines specific biblical narratives including the Joseph story, Abraham's character, Balaam's prophecy, and covenant theology. Fox believes that contemporary biblical scholarship, despite challenging traditional views of Torah's textual integrity and historicity, offers opportunities for spiritual revitalization within traditional Judaism.
Ari Mermelstein is an Associate Professor of Bible and Second Temple Literature at Yeshiva University, serving as Chair of the Department of Bible, Hebrew, and Near Eastern Studies. He also holds roles as Assistant Director of the YU Center for Jewish Law and the Israeli Supreme Court Project at Cardozo Law School. With dual expertise in ancient Jewish history (PhD, NYU) and law (JD, NYU Law), his work bridges historical scholarship and legal analysis. His research focuses on emotions in ancient Judaism, exploring how affective dimensions shaped communal identity, legal practices, and theological frameworks. Major works include Power and Emotion in Ancient Judaism (Cambridge, 2021), a National Jewish Book Award finalist, and The Genesis of Beginnings (Brill, 2014), analyzing Second Temple period historiography. Current projects investigate silence and speech ethics in ancient Jewish thought. Mermelstein teaches courses on biblical studies, classical Jewish history, and Second Temple-era figures like Josephus and Philo. His publications span journals such as AJS Review , Harvard Theological Review , and Dead Sea Discoveries , with a strong emphasis on interconnections between emotion, law, and identity. Academic recognition includes the William L. and Lillian Silber Professor of the Year award (2015-16; 2017-18) and multiple book reviews shaping scholarly discourse. His work integrates rigorous textual analysis with innovative frameworks in emotion studies, offering fresh perspectives on ancient Jewish thought and practice.
