Dr. Natan M. Meir Appointed the Joseph J. and Dora Abbell Librarian

August 18, 2026

Dr. Natan M. Meir has been appointed the 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 JTS 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 a curatorial and 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 Columbia University. 

Dr. Meir also has longstanding ties to JTS. His grandfather and father both received rabbinic ordination from JTS, and as a Columbia student, he spent countless hours in The JTS Library. Those experiences helped inspire his path as a historian and gave him a deep foundation and appreciation for The Library’s extraordinary 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 history projects, community programming, and collaborative partnerships that bring scholarship to the wider public. 

As Librarian, Dr. Meir will build on The Library’s remarkable 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 JTS Library continue to inspire and educate future generations.