Gabrielle A. Berlinger

Gabrielle A. Berlinger is an Associate Professor of American Studies and Folklore at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and holds the Babette S. and Bernard J. Tanenbaum Scholar in Jewish History and Culture. She also serves as Director of Graduate Studies in her department. Her work bridges academic research with public engagement, focusing on vernacular architecture, ritual practices, and material culture across diverse communities.

Education:

• Ph.D. Folklore, Indiana University at Bloomington (2013)
• M.A. Folklore, Indiana University at Bloomington (2008)
• B.A. Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania (2003)

Research Interests: Berlinger examines how everyday structures and rituals reflect cultural identity, history, and social dynamics. Her book Framing Sukkot: Tradition and Transformation in Jewish Vernacular Architecture (2017) explores temporary ritual dwellings in South Tel Aviv, linking them to themes of community, homelessness, and belonging. She also studies preservation strategies in house museums and the interplay between physical spaces and cultural heritage.

Awards:

• Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow (Bard Graduate Center, 201X–201X)

Teaching & Engagement: Berlinger emphasizes ethnographic fieldwork and collaboration with cultural institutions. She teaches courses on folklore, Jewish material culture, urban folklore, and public rituals. Her work with the Lower East Side Tenement Museum and other institutions highlights her commitment to applied research.