Professional Background
Dr. David Deutsch is currently Academic Coordinator and Supervisor at Megalim Olam Higher Education Center (Israel). He holds a PhD in the sociology and anthropology at Ben Gurion University in Beersheba (Israel) and an MA in European studies from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem (Israel). As the Phyllis Greenberg Heideman and Richard D. Heideman Fellow, at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies, Dr. Deutsch will be conducting research for his project entitled “The Effect of 'Lack of Precedent' on Holocaust Responsa Literature.”
Dr. Deutsch is fluent in English and Hebrew. He has reading abilities in German and Aramaic.
Dr. Deutsch is the author of several journal articles including, “The Politics of Intimacy: Nazi and Hutu Propaganda as Case Studies" in Journal of Genocide Research (2016) and “Immer mit Liebe –Models of Empathic Violence in Nazi Euthanasia Trials" in Holocaust Studies: Journal of Culture and History (2016). In 2014, Dr. Deutsch presented his paper "Rereading Euthanasia Testimonies: The case of Prof. Heyde" at the Workshop for Advanced PhD Candidates, USC, Los Angeles.
Fellowship Research
While in residence at the Mandel Center, Dr. Deutsch conducted research in order to demonstrate the effect that 'lack of precedent' had on responsas dealing with Holocaust issues, and the political agenda behind responsa literature. Drawing on the Museum's resources, he sought to understand the specific conditions of the ghettos and camps wherein these religious answers were delivered.
Dr. Deutsch was in residence from January 1 to August 31, 2018.
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