The author of Anti-Judaism has been awarded for his research into Jewish studies
New Yorker David Nirenberg, director and Leon Levy professor at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, has been awarded one of four Balzan Prizes for his work in the field of Jewish Studies. Representatives of the prize-giving organisation stated that Nirenberg has been especially recognised for his groundbreaking research, explorations of “the dynamics of the relationship between Jews, Christians and Muslims” and “for profoundly advancing our understanding of ancient and contemporary questions”.
The medievalist and intellectual historian is best known for his 2013 book, Anti-Judaism: The Western Tradition, which examines antisemitism throughout history, not through a lens of racism, but as a fundamental backbone in the development of the Western world as we know it today.
Of the decision, JR’s executive director Dr Aviva Dautch said: “I heard the news of David Nirenberg’s Balzan Prize win as I arrived in London, after a JR tour to Italy where I had been teaching Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice in the ghetto where it is set. My preparatory reading had been Nirenberg’s chapter on the play from his book Anti-Judaism: The Western Tradition. Although I didn’t always agree with his conclusions (as Jews we prefer questioning and thoughtful disagreement over bland acquiescence), I was wowed by the breadth of his sources, depth of his insights and mobility of his thinking.
© Ian Olsson / Clare Hall, University of Cambridge
“The way he yokes together archival research, literary criticism and philosophy to construct complex and nuanced theoretical positions that engage with important historical debates and emphasise their relevance to the present moment is highly impressive. The richness of his work provides a vast amount of food for thought about Jewish identity and our positioning within broader society and culture, and I am delighted to see it recognised in this way.”
The other Balzan Prize winners are Italian sociologist Elena Esposito, Danish biologist Rasmus Nielsen and American chemist Geoffrey W Coates. Each award totals 750,000 Swiss Francs (almost £700k), half of which must be used to develop young scholars.
The International Balzan Foundation was founded in 1957 by Lina Balzan after the death of her father, the Italian journalist and newspaper co-owner Eugenio Balzan. Four years later, Lina established the prize to support the fields of culture, science and humanitarianin projects that promote peace. Since 1961, there have been 175 winners, including Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borges, astronomer Fred Hoyle and Catholic nun and saint Mother Teresa.
By Danielle Goldstein
Header photo by Sameer A Khan
Find out more about the Balzan Prize at balzan.org.