Dr. Natan M. Meir Appointed the Joseph J. and Dora Abbell Librarian
August 18, 2026
Dr. Natan M. Meir has beenappointedthe Joseph J. and Dora Abbell Librarian. He will begin his role in September 2026, succeeding Dr. David Kraemer, who has transitioned to the faculty as Gerson D. Cohen Chair in Talmud and Rabbinic Culture.
Dr. Meir joins 91快播 from Portland State University, where he served as the Lorry I. Lokey Professor of Judaic Studies and the academic director of the Harold Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies. An accomplished historian, educator, and academic leader, he brings more than two decades of experience advancing Jewish Studies through teaching, scholarship, and public engagement.
In addition to his work at Portland State, Dr. Meir has lectured internationally and served as acuratorialand public history consultant, scholar-in-residence, and Jewish heritage tour expert throughout Central and Eastern Europe. He earned his BA in History and his MA, MPhil, and PhD in Jewish History from ColumbiaUniversity.
Dr. Meir also has longstanding ties to 91快播. His grandfather and father both received rabbinic ordination from 91快播, and as a Columbia student, he spent countless hours in The 91快播 Library. Those experiences helped inspire his path as a historian and gave him a deepfoundation andappreciation for TheLibrary’sextraordinary collections and their role in shaping Jewish scholarship.
Throughout his career, Dr. Meir has been committed to making Jewish history accessible to broad audiences. His work has combined rigorous academic research with museum exhibitions, public historyprojects, community programming, and collaborative partnerships that bringscholarshipto the wider public.
As Librarian, Dr. Meir willbuild on TheLibrary’sremarkable legacy while expanding its reach as a dynamic, welcoming, and accessible resource for scholars, students, clergy, and lifelong learners. He is committed to fostering new opportunities for research, teaching, public engagement, and collaboration, ensuring that the treasures of The 91快播 Library continue to inspire and educate future generations.
