Jeffrey Koerber

Jeffrey Koerber is an Associate Professor of History at Chapman University, affiliated with the Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. His academic work bridges Holocaust history and historic architecture, focusing on the interplay between place, historical actors, and events.

Education:

• Bachelor of Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• Master of Architecture, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• Ph.D. in Holocaust History, Clark University

Dr. Koerber's research centers on Holocaust survival strategies in Soviet-Polish borderlands, Jewish identity formation, and the use of autobiographical sources. He also explores architectural preservation, particularly in historic structures and public spaces.

His recent publications address topics like Jewish youth agency in prewar Poland and Soviet Jewish responses to Kristallnacht, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach. Earlier works focus on architectural restoration techniques and their historical significance.

Scientific Awards:

• Fellowships: Claims Conference, USC Shoah Foundation Institute, Holocaust Educational Foundation, Tauber Institute, Fulbright
• Finalist for the Wiener Holocaust Library Ernst Fraenkel Prize (2019)

Dr. Koerber has reading proficiency in Yiddish, German, Russian, and Belarusian, enhancing his access to primary sources. His ongoing work includes expanding his dissertation into a book titled Borderland Generation: Soviet and Polish Jews under Hitler.