Prof William Tooman is the Head of the School of Divinity and Principal of St Mary's College at the University of St Andrews. He holds the rank of Professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Judaism. His research focuses on the literary conventions and hermeneutics of ancient Jewish writers, particularly examining how poetics and textual evolution influenced interpretation. A co-PI of the Texture project, he explores historical poetics of ancient Jewish literature with Prof Andrew Teeter. Tooman earned his PhD in Hebrew and Semitic Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2006) and has held roles including Lecturer at St Andrews (2009) and co-director of the Institute of Bible, Theology, and Hermeneutics (2018). Teaching spans undergraduate modules like DI1003 Old Testament 1 and postgraduate courses such as Textual Criticism. His research areas include textual criticism, inner-biblical interpretation, and scribal practices, with notable publications on Ezekiel, Targum Jonathan, and Qumran texts. Awards include an Honorary Research Fellowship at Manchester and grants from Harvard and Swiss-European programs. His advising includes five PhD students focusing on ancient Jewish literature. Key grants include the Texture project (2022–2027), exploring how ancient Jewish writers used literary techniques to transmit and reinterpret scripture. Labs/teams include the Institute of Bible, Theology, and Hermeneutics, emphasizing interdisciplinary biblical studies.
D. Andrew Teeter is a Professor of Hebrew Bible at Harvard Divinity School (HDS), affiliated with the Committee on the Study of Religion and Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations. He joined HDS in 2008 and specializes in the literature and religious thought of the Hebrew Bible, with a focus on its historical contexts and interpretive reception in Second Temple Judaism. His research emphasizes ancient poetics, intertextuality, and early Jewish biblical interpretation, particularly within the Dead Sea Scrolls. Teeter holds an MA from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a PhD from the University of Notre Dame. His teaching spans the literature, history, and theology of the Hebrew Bible, with attention to ancient and modern interpretive traditions. Current research projects include reconstructing the grammar of biblical poetics and analyzing textual transmission processes in Second Temple Jewish literature. He regularly teaches courses at HDS and Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences, focusing on Hebrew Bible studies, ancient Jewish literature, and biblical interpretation. His publications explore topics such as biblical symmetry, exegesis in Dead Sea Scrolls, and coherence in ancient Jewish texts. Teeter’s work bridges biblical scholarship with broader questions about ancient literary conventions and historical reading practices, contributing to interdisciplinary discussions in religious studies and Near Eastern languages.
Dr. Enrico Lucca serves as a Research Fellow at the Dubnow Institute, where he has held the position of Research Associate since January 2018. He concurrently coordinates the Research Unit 'Knowledge', the Institute's Forum, and oversees peer reviewing for the Dubnow Institute Yearbook. His academic work centers on twentieth-century European-Jewish history and thought, with specialized focus on knowledge transfer between Europe and Israel/Palestine, intellectual history, and institutional history within Jewish contexts. Lucca completed his Master's degree in Philosophy at the University of Milan in 2007, followed by doctoral studies (2009-2012) at the same institution, culminating in a dissertation titled 'A Dialectic Vision of Jewish History. Gershom Scholem and the Legacy of Messianism.' His academic training includes post-graduate specialization in Cultural Studies at Scuola Alti Studi in Modena (2009) and visiting research periods at the University of Chicago Divinity School (2009-2010) and Hebrew University of Jerusalem (2011). His research traverses European-Jewish intellectual history, Jewish cultural studies, and philosophy of religion, with particular emphasis on messianic thought, Kabbalah studies, and Hebrew literature. Lucca's scholarship frequently examines biographical and institutional frameworks that shaped Jewish thought in the twentieth century, especially through figures like Gershom Scholem, Franz Rosenzweig, and Hugo Bergmann. His methodological approach integrates cultural history with philosophical analysis to explore knowledge transmission across geographical and temporal boundaries. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals consistent engagement with Central European Jewish intellectual migration to Palestine/Israel, institutional history of the Hebrew University, and critical reinterpretations of Scholem's legacy. His work demonstrates interdisciplinary breadth across history, philosophy, and literary studies, with recurring themes of linguistic identity, cultural transfer, and the interplay between mysticism and modernity in Jewish thought. No scientific awards are documented in the provided materials. While no formal students are listed, Lucca has secured significant research funding including a Gerda Henkel Foundation fellowship (2016-2017) for 'German-Jewish Knowledge and Cultural Transfer 1918–1948' and currently serves as Principal Investigator for the German Research Foundation-funded International Research Training Group 'Belongings: Jewish Material Culture in Twentieth-Century Europe and Beyond' (since 2024). Lucca actively leads the Research Unit 'Knowledge' and co-directs the International Research Training Group 'Belongings'—a tripartite collaboration between the Dubnow Institute, Leipzig University, and Hebrew University of Jerusalem—focusing on material culture approaches to Jewish history through comparative, transnational frameworks.
Professor Ben Outhwaite serves as Head of the Taylor-Schechter Genizah Research Unit at Cambridge University Library, a position he has held since 2006 following seven years as a Genizah researcher. His academic career is centered on the linguistic and historical analysis of Hebrew manuscripts from the Cairo Genizah collection. His educational background includes a B.A. in Hebrew Studies, M.Phil. in Medieval Hebrew literature, and Ph.D. from Christ's College, Cambridge. Supervised by Professor Geoffrey Khan, his doctoral thesis examined the grammatical description of Hebrew letters in the Genizah. Professor Outhwaite's research focuses on Hebrew language transmission during the Middle Ages, encompassing Biblical Hebrew vocalization traditions, medieval Hebrew as a communication medium, the form and function of medieval Hebrew Bibles, and the documentary history of communities depositing manuscripts into the Cairo Genizah. His work bridges linguistic analysis with historical context to illuminate Jewish life under Islamic rule. His publication trends reveal consistent contributions to Genizah scholarship, with recent work emphasizing economic history (Nile water pricing), religious polemics, manuscript transmission, and cross-cultural Jewish communities. The articles demonstrate deep engagement with documentary fragments while expanding into broader historical and linguistic contexts. Research funding has been secured from prestigious institutions including the AHRC, British Academy, Wellcome Foundation, and Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. He serves as series editor for Brill’s ‘Cambridge Genizah Studies’ and has contributed to major exhibitions like ‘Discarded History: the Genizah of Medieval Cairo’. The Taylor-Schechter Genizah Research Unit operates within Cambridge University Library, maintaining one of the world's most significant collections of Hebrew and Jewish manuscripts. The unit collaborates internationally on digitization projects and hosts the annual Genizah Lecture, Fragment of the Month features, and scholarly symposia.
Nevin Reda serves as Associate Professor of Muslim Studies and Director of the Muslim Studies program (MPS) at Emmanuel College, Victoria University within the University of Toronto. Her academic leadership spans Qur'anic scholarship, Islamic legal theory, and interfaith education, with active teaching in courses such as Surat al-Baqara, Islamic Law, and Bible-Qur'an Dialogue. Her educational foundation includes: BSc, Cairo University (1989) MA, University of Toronto (2003) PhD, University of Toronto (2010) Dr. Reda's research centers on Qur'anic poetics and narrative structure, integrating literary theory, Islamic spiritual care, and Biblical Hebrew studies. She pioneers spiritually integrative approaches to Islamic ethical-legal theory (uṣūl al-fiqh) and develops interreligious pedagogies that bridge theological divides. Her work critically engages gender justice, domestic violence interpretations, and democratic theology through Qur'anic exegesis, emphasizing contextual hermeneutics and feminist perspectives. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2024-2010) reveals dominant trends in Qur'anic narrative analysis, gender-ethics intersections in Islamic law, and postcolonial interfaith dialogue frameworks. Key subfields include spiritually integrative readings of verse 4:34, reform of uṣūl al-fiqh for marriage ethics, and comparative Torah-Qur'an exegesis, demonstrating consistent methodological innovation across disciplines. No scientific awards were documented in the source material. As MPS Director, Dr. Reda mentors graduate students in Muslim Studies while advancing curriculum development for intercultural theological education. Her scholarly output—including two monographs and collaborations with institutions like Women and Memory Forum—reflects sustained research leadership, though specific grant details remain unreported. Current projects focus on Qur'anic structure theory and decolonizing epistemologies in religious studies.
Dr Estara Arrant is a Cambridge University Library Leverhulme Early Career Research Fellow and Trinity Hall Postdoctoral Research Associate. She merges Semitic linguistics with data science to study medieval Jewish and Islamic textual cultures. PhD (University of Cambridge, 2021): Computational analysis of Cairo Genizah Torah codices MPhil (University of Oxford, 2018): Linguistic structure of Qur’ānic creation narratives BA: History & Modern Hebrew Her groundbreaking work combines machine learning and bioinformatics algorithms to analyze textual evolution. Current projects include: Developing the first NLP model for medieval Judaeo-Arabic Creating digital tools for computerized stemmatology She actively teaches Python and R as an Cambridge Digital Humanities associate, and her research has been published by Open Book Publishers and Brill .
Jeong Mun Heo is a Lecturer of Jewish Studies and Head of Development for South Korea at Yeshiva University's Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies. He holds a PhD from Yeshiva University (2021), alongside degrees from Boston College, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Korea Theological Seminary, and Kosin University. His research focuses on the phenomenology of religion, Jewish-Christian theological discourse, and ancient Jewish thought. Education: PhD, Yeshiva University, 2021 ThM, Boston College MA, Hebrew University of Jerusalem MDiv, Korea Theological Seminary BA, Kosin University He teaches courses on ancient Jewish and Christian thought and has authored scholarly works like Images of Torah (Brill, 2023). His recent fellowship at the Hebrew University (2022-2023) supported his research. He has also published in Korean on biblical studies and education. Awards: Golda Meir Postdoctoral Fellowship (2022-2023). He leads the Advanced Certificate Program in Jewish Studies for Korean-speaking students and collaborates on interfaith theological dialogues.
Frank Thielman is Professor of Divinity and holds the Presbyterian Chair of Divinity at Beeson Divinity School, Samford University, where he has taught New Testament and Greek since 1989. He specializes in New Testament studies with a particular focus on Pauline theology and the cultural context of early Christianity. Dr. Thielman's educational background includes a PhD from Duke University, BA and MA degrees from the University of Cambridge, and a BA from Wheaton College. He also completed additional studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. His research interests center on Paul and his letters, biblical theology, and the material and cultural setting of first century Christianity. Thielman's scholarly work provides deep insights into New Testament theology, particularly the Pauline corpus, with emphasis on how early Christian thought developed within its historical and cultural context. His approach combines careful exegesis with theological synthesis, examining how the New Testament writings form a coherent theological whole while addressing specific historical situations. Thielman's recent publications demonstrate consistent expertise in Pauline studies, with particular attention to Romans and the theology of grace. His scholarship bridges historical-critical analysis with constructive theological reflection, making significant contributions to understanding Paul's relationship with the Jewish law and the broader theological implications of New Testament writings. Dr. Thielman is an active member of several scholarly organizations including the Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas (Society for New Testament Studies), Society of Biblical Literature, Institute for Biblical Research, Evangelical Theological Society, and Catholic Biblical Association. As an ordained Presbyterian (PCA) minister, Dr. Thielman brings practical ministry experience to his academic work. His teaching and writing reflect a commitment to connecting rigorous scholarship with pastoral application. He has authored numerous books and articles that serve both academic and church communities, including his well-received commentaries and his recent 2025 publication Paul, Apostle of Grace , which has been praised as a definitive biography of Paul for a new generation.
Erik Waaler is a Professor of Theology, Religion and Philosophy at NLA University College in Sandviken, Bergen, Norway. He holds a prominent position in biblical studies with a particular focus on the New Testament, intertextuality, and the intersection of biblical scholarship with archaeology and historical context. His educational background includes: 1984: Cand. Theol. from Det teologiske Menighetsfakultet (MF) 1997: Master in Missiology from Fuller Theological Seminary - School of World Mission 2005: Dr. Theol. in New Testament from Det teologiske Menighetsfakultet (MF) Professor Waaler's primary research interests center on New Testament studies, particularly intertextuality and re-contextualization in First Corinthians and the Gospel of Matthew. His work bridges biblical scholarship with archaeological evidence, especially regarding Hebrew inscriptions from sites like Ketef Hinnom and Khirbet Qeiyafa. He has made significant contributions to understanding Pauline theology, particularly how Paul reinterprets Old Testament texts in his writings. His secondary expertise lies in applied Jewish studies, history, archaeology, and paleography related to the Levant. This interdisciplinary approach allows him to examine biblical texts within their historical and cultural contexts, providing fresh insights into early Christian interpretation of Jewish scripture. Waaler's scholarly output demonstrates a consistent focus on how New Testament authors, particularly Paul, engage with and reinterpret earlier biblical texts. His work spans from detailed analysis of specific passages like the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4 as reinterpreted in 1 Corinthians, to broader studies of intertextual methods. More recently, he has collaborated on technical archaeological projects using spectral imaging to analyze ancient inscriptions, showing his willingness to engage with cutting-edge methodologies to illuminate ancient texts. His research bridges the gap between traditional biblical scholarship and archaeological evidence, creating a more robust historical understanding of early Christian interpretation. Professor Waaler has been actively involved in projects examining Matthew's use of the Old Testament, Jewish use of the Old Testament with focus on Qumran and Josephus, inscriptions from Khirbet Qeiyafa, and Pauline Theology. His work demonstrates a sustained commitment to understanding the historical and textual foundations of early Christianity through meticulous analysis of both textual and archaeological evidence.
Gabriele Boccaccini is a Professor of New Testament and Second Temple Judaism in the Department of Near Eastern Studies at the University of Michigan since 2002. He holds a Ph.D. in Judaic Studies from the University of Turin (1991) and has held visiting professorships at BIBLIA (Italy), Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism (Detroit), Ecumenical Theological Seminary, and Waldensian Faculty of Theology. His research focuses on Second Temple Judaism Jewish-Christian relations Apocalyptic literature Dead Sea Scrolls Rabbinic origins Jewish intellectual history He has received numerous awards including the LSA Excellence in Education Award (1999), University of Turin Post-Doctoral Grant (1992), and the Italian Doctoral Grant in Judaic Studies (1987). His work spans over 50 publications, including monographs on Middle Judaism and edited translations of key biblical scholarship. As a leader in interfaith dialogue, Boccaccini has served on the founding committees of the Camaldoli Conferences Italian Ecumenical Association Greater Detroit Interfaith Round Table and contributed extensively to journals like Henoch and Amicizia Ebraico-Cristiana .
Prof. Yael Shemesh is an Associate Professor in Hebrew Bible at Bar-Ilan University and serves as the head of Fanya Gottesfeld Heller Center for the Study of Women in Judaism. She holds a Ph.D. in biblical studies from Bar-Ilan University. Her research focuses on several key areas within biblical studies: Women in Judaism and feminist biblical interpretation Animal ethics and symbolism in biblical literature Mourning practices and coping with loss in the Bible Prof. Shemesh's scholarly work bridges traditional biblical scholarship with contemporary ethical concerns, particularly examining how ancient texts address issues of gender, animal welfare, and human emotional experiences. Her research demonstrates how biblical narratives continue to inform modern ethical discussions through nuanced analysis of texts like the Books of Ruth, Esther, and Jonah. Her publications reveal consistent thematic threads exploring ethical dimensions in biblical literature, with particular attention to marginalized perspectives - whether women in patriarchal contexts or animals in human-dominated narratives. This interdisciplinary approach connects biblical studies with psychology, gender studies, and animal ethics. As director of the Fanya Gottesfeld Heller Center, Prof. Shemesh leads initiatives examining women's roles and experiences throughout Jewish textual tradition and history, fostering scholarly dialogue on gender perspectives within religious studies.
Nathan MacDonald is a Lecturer in Hebrew Bible at the University of Cambridge , with prior academic roles at the University of St Andrews and University of Göttingen . He is a Co-Investigator for the The Book and the Sword project, focusing on the Bible's role during the Great War, and serves as Managing Editor of the Journal of the Bible and Its Reception . University Lecturer in Hebrew Bible, University of Cambridge (2013–present) Lecturer/Reader in Old Testament, University of St Andrews (2001–2009) Research Team Leader, University of Göttingen (2009–2013) Research Interests include the Pentateuch , Biblical Warfare Texts , and History of Israelite Religion . His work explores how ancient texts were interpreted and applied to theological and social contexts, particularly through dietary laws, priestly authority, and ritual innovation. Recent Publications address Pentateuchal models, scribal practices, and the intersection of biblical scholarship with historical events like World War I. Key themes include ritual criticism , prophetic literature , and Levitical/Deuteronomic traditions . Academic Leadership : As Managing Editor of the Journal of the Bible and Its Reception , he bridges modern and ancient biblical studies, contributing to projects like The Book and the Sword and collaborating on workshops addressing biblical memory and warfare.
Eve Krakowski is an Associate Professor of Near Eastern Studies and Judaic Studies at Princeton University, specializing in medieval Middle Eastern social history with a focus on Jewish communities in Fatimid and Ayyubid Egypt (969–1250). Her work examines family life, law, and religion in everyday contexts, leveraging the Cairo Geniza documents for insights into ordinary life. Her research explores how legal frameworks and religious practices shaped gender roles and communal structures. She authored Coming of Age in Medieval Egypt , which won multiple awards, including the National Jewish Book Award. Currently, she is working on Written Torah: The Reinvention of Judaism in the Islamic Mediterranean , analyzing medieval Jewish writing practices. Teaching: Courses include Cairo Geniza studies, religious conversion in the Islamic Middle East, and Near Eastern humanities. Collaborations: Co-edited a Geniza research handbook and leads projects to enhance accessibility of Geniza documents through interdisciplinary methods. Her work bridges archival analysis with social history, emphasizing how material evidence reveals lived experiences of medieval Jews. She also contributes to Princeton’s Humanities Council programs and has held post-doctoral fellowships at Yale and Columbia. Awards: National Jewish Book Award, Jordan Schnitzer Book Award, AAAS Honorable Mention. Labs/Projects: Geniza Lab (external link), Documents and Institutions in the Medieval Middle East collaborative.
David A. Lambert is an Associate Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, specializing in the Hebrew Bible and its history of interpretation. His scholarship bridges historical-critical approaches with attention to how interpretive frameworks shape our reading of ancient texts, particularly focusing on the Hebrew Bible within its Ancient Near Eastern context. Lambert received his academic training at Harvard University, earning his A.B., M.A., and Ph.D. in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations. His doctoral work culminated in the Harry and Cecile Starr Dissertation Prize in 2004, reflecting the significance of his early scholarly contributions to biblical studies. Professor Lambert's research centers on the Hebrew Bible in its Ancient Near Eastern environment, hermeneutics and the history of biblical interpretation, Late Second Temple Judaism, the history of Jewish thought, the history of the self, and translation studies. His work challenges conventional interpretive frameworks, particularly questioning how modern notions of subjectivity and repentance have shaped biblical interpretation. He argues that many concepts readers project onto ancient texts actually emerged later in religious history, revealing more about contemporary interpretive tendencies than ancient realities. Lambert's publications demonstrate a consistent focus on how interpretive frameworks shape biblical understanding. His work examines the relationship between ancient texts and their reception history, with particular attention to how modern Western notions of the subject have influenced biblical translation and interpretation. He has made significant contributions to understanding the formation of biblical concepts like repentance and honor within their proper historical contexts. Among his notable recognitions are the prestigious AAR Award for Excellence in the Study of Religion (2016), the Schwab Academic Excellence Award (2019), and fellowships at the Israel Institute for Advanced Studies (2017-2018). His scholarly achievements also include: EURIAS Fellowship (2017-2018) Peter Thacher Grauer Fellow at UNC Chapel Hill (2010-2014) Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Post-doctoral Fellowship at Yale University (2004-2007) Harry and Cecile Starr Dissertation Prize from Harvard University (2004) Institute for the Arts and Humanities Faculty Fellow (Spring 2023) Senior Faculty Research and Scholarly Leave (Fall 2022) Professor Lambert mentors graduate students in religious studies and biblical scholarship, guiding research on Hebrew Bible interpretation, ancient Jewish thought, and textual criticism. His current projects include a monograph titled "Is Bible Scripture? Assembling the Biblical in Ancient Judaism and Beyond" for Yale University Press, which explores the formation of the Hebrew Bible as Scripture. He has received multiple research grants supporting his work on the history of biblical interpretation and the concept of the self in antiquity. Through his participation in research groups like "The Subject of Antiquity: Contours and Expressions of the Self in Ancient Mediterranean Culture" at the Israel Institute for Advanced Studies, Lambert collaborates with international scholars to advance understanding of ancient subjectivity. His work bridges traditional biblical scholarship with innovative approaches from history of religions, contributing to broader conversations about how ancient texts continue to shape contemporary religious and cultural frameworks.
Simeon Chavel is Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible at the University of Chicago Divinity School, with additional appointments as Associate Faculty in the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations and the Center for Middle Eastern Studies. His academic work bridges biblical studies, ancient Near Eastern history, and literary theory. His educational background includes: PhD from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Professor Chavel's research focuses on the genres, techniques, ideas, and history of the Hebrew Bible, integrating archaeology, ancient Southwest Asian context, early Jewish interpretation, and modern theory. His work examines how text functioned as an agent of religious experience in ancient Israel and Judea, influencing concepts of family, region, royalty, and nationhood. He approaches biblical criticism through both historical and literary lenses, addressing fundamental questions about coherence in biblical texts. His scholarly output demonstrates consistent focus on biblical law, narrative structure, and the historical development of religious thought, with particular attention to how ancient readers interpreted biblical poetry and prophecy. His analytical approach often reveals complex layers of quotation and meaning in biblical texts. Professor Chavel serves on multiple academic boards including the Greenberg Center for Jewish Studies and the CEDAR digital humanities project. He is a member of the Core Faculty of The Institute on the Formation of Knowledge and Editor of Maarav: A Journal for the Study of the Northwest Semitic Languages and Literatures. Beyond his formal academic roles, Professor Chavel maintains an active scholarly presence through his 'Bible Sleuth' blog, where he provides accessible analyses of biblical texts, particularly examining poetic structures, narrative techniques, and interpretive challenges in books like Isaiah, Esther, and Proverbs.
