New scholarship to celebrate Jewish medics in Wales
Academic post from Bangor University and Jewish History Association of Wales will research doctors, pharmacists, nurses and midwives from the eighteenth century onwards
A Welsh university is looking for a postgraduate student to research the history of Jewish health professionals in the principality.
The successful candidate will have their course fees paid, along with an additional budget to cover travel and other expenses.
The post is being funded by an endowment from the family of the late Gerald Goodwin, a German Jewish refugee who for decades ran a dental practice in the South Wales valleys. It is being established jointly by Bangor University and the Jewish History Association of Wales.
Supervising the research is Professor Nathan Abrams of the university’s School of Arts, Culture and Language, who said: “Traditionally medicine has been regarded as a very Jewish profession, and in Wales we have had some highly distinguished practitioners. We think there are some fantastic stories to be told, we’re looking for the right person to tell them.”
He added: “But it isn’t just doctors, Welsh Jews have made huge contributions as dentists, psychologists, psychiatrists, pharmacists, nurses, midwives, from the eighteenth century onwards.
“We are looking for somebody with curiosity and an understanding of Jewish life to investigate how Jewish immigrants entered the medical professions, examining their professional achievements and the challenges they faced, including issues of discrimination and integration.”
Abrams wants the researcher “to explore how cultural and religious identities, as well as waves of immigration, influenced medical practices, community interactions, and healthcare within Welsh Jewish communities, and beyond. Jews have helped to mould the Welsh healthcare landscape, but until now this history has been hidden.”
David Goodwin, the son of Gerald and Ruth, said: “My parents found refuge in Wales from the traumas of Hitler’s Germany. Their medical education coincided with the advent of the National Health Service.
“This project will hopefully ensure some formal documentation of the valuable contributions of many Jewish émigrés to the health related professions in Wales.”
Candidates should ideally have a 2:1 degree or higher with a background in history, history of science, Jewish Studies or social sciences. The ability to speak Welsh is desirable but not essential. Applications close on 14 July and the post starts at the beginning of the academic term in September.
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