Alison B. Curry
@abcurry.bsky.social
Historian | Public History Postdoctoral Fellow at USHMM | Jewish cemeteries; Holocaust Studies; Polish Jewish History |
alisonbcurry.net
All views are my own.
alisonbcurry.net
All views are my own.
Pinned
Alison B. Curry
@abcurry.bsky.social
· Jun 13
Yesterday, I successfully defended my dissertation. It’s been a wild six years here at UNC, and while pursuing a PhD can be incredibly stressful and frustrating, I do not take for granted the ability to pursue my passion in this way.
Two people at my husband’s family’s thanksgiving had very clearly never heard about the Holocaust when I told them about where I was working now. One is older, maybe 70yr old male. One is around my age. Western Maryland, Pennsylvania born and raised.
November 29, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Two people at my husband’s family’s thanksgiving had very clearly never heard about the Holocaust when I told them about where I was working now. One is older, maybe 70yr old male. One is around my age. Western Maryland, Pennsylvania born and raised.
My most recent book review has just been published with the Journal of Modern Jewish Studies.
The destruction of Jewish cemeteries in Poland
Published in Journal of Modern Jewish Studies (Ahead of Print, 2025)
www.tandfonline.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:22 PM
My most recent book review has just been published with the Journal of Modern Jewish Studies.
I’m convinced the Deliver Me from Nowhere hate is 97% originating from MAGA trolls.
October 26, 2025 at 1:44 AM
I’m convinced the Deliver Me from Nowhere hate is 97% originating from MAGA trolls.
I watched a group of early high schoolers visit the Holocaust museum’s permanent exhibition today. What did I learn? That digital cameras are cool again. Who knew?
October 16, 2025 at 2:13 AM
I watched a group of early high schoolers visit the Holocaust museum’s permanent exhibition today. What did I learn? That digital cameras are cool again. Who knew?
Incredible find, this cemetery dates to 1070CE. A reminder that space matters — “Though Jews were given licence to operate within the old Roman walls of the city, they were obliged to be buried outside it.”
Britain’s oldest Jewish cemetery discovered at the Barbican
A team of amateur historians found the site, which dates from Norman times, just outside London’s ancient Roman wall
www.thetimes.com
September 7, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Incredible find, this cemetery dates to 1070CE. A reminder that space matters — “Though Jews were given licence to operate within the old Roman walls of the city, they were obliged to be buried outside it.”
*watching a nature documentary*
Narrator: “the female waits by her deceased relatives’ side for 3 days.”
Me: “Three days?!?”
My non-Jewish husband: “She’s sitting shiva, chill.”
Narrator: “the female waits by her deceased relatives’ side for 3 days.”
Me: “Three days?!?”
My non-Jewish husband: “She’s sitting shiva, chill.”
August 9, 2025 at 1:20 PM
*watching a nature documentary*
Narrator: “the female waits by her deceased relatives’ side for 3 days.”
Me: “Three days?!?”
My non-Jewish husband: “She’s sitting shiva, chill.”
Narrator: “the female waits by her deceased relatives’ side for 3 days.”
Me: “Three days?!?”
My non-Jewish husband: “She’s sitting shiva, chill.”
Yesterday, I successfully defended my dissertation. It’s been a wild six years here at UNC, and while pursuing a PhD can be incredibly stressful and frustrating, I do not take for granted the ability to pursue my passion in this way.
June 13, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Yesterday, I successfully defended my dissertation. It’s been a wild six years here at UNC, and while pursuing a PhD can be incredibly stressful and frustrating, I do not take for granted the ability to pursue my passion in this way.
My mother used to always say, “You only have to watch the last five minutes of a basketball game” and I never understood that, bc certainly that’s also true for all other sports??
But after catching a few of this season’s playoff games, I fear she’s right about that one too.
But after catching a few of this season’s playoff games, I fear she’s right about that one too.
May 26, 2025 at 3:15 AM
My mother used to always say, “You only have to watch the last five minutes of a basketball game” and I never understood that, bc certainly that’s also true for all other sports??
But after catching a few of this season’s playoff games, I fear she’s right about that one too.
But after catching a few of this season’s playoff games, I fear she’s right about that one too.
Reposted by Alison B. Curry
Today, more than six months after voters elected me to keep my seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court, my opponent conceded the election. Read my statement here.
May 7, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Today, more than six months after voters elected me to keep my seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court, my opponent conceded the election. Read my statement here.
Thank you, Senator. Proud to have been able to vote for you in the past.
I said my main goal of this trip was to meet with Kilmar. Tonight I had that chance. I have called his wife, Jennifer, to pass along his message of love. I look forward to providing a full update upon my return.
April 18, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Thank you, Senator. Proud to have been able to vote for you in the past.
Reposted by Alison B. Curry
The UNC-CH chapter of the AAUP strongly and unequivocally condemns the targeting of international students and scholars.
In light of the April 8 revocation of six UNC student visas, we call on UNC-CH to take concrete steps to support students and scholars at risk:
unc-ch-aaup.org/news#2025-04...
In light of the April 8 revocation of six UNC student visas, we call on UNC-CH to take concrete steps to support students and scholars at risk:
unc-ch-aaup.org/news#2025-04...
April 11, 2025 at 3:40 PM
The UNC-CH chapter of the AAUP strongly and unequivocally condemns the targeting of international students and scholars.
In light of the April 8 revocation of six UNC student visas, we call on UNC-CH to take concrete steps to support students and scholars at risk:
unc-ch-aaup.org/news#2025-04...
In light of the April 8 revocation of six UNC student visas, we call on UNC-CH to take concrete steps to support students and scholars at risk:
unc-ch-aaup.org/news#2025-04...
No one talk to me for a week after June 27th.
Seven new studio albums (1983-2018).
82 previously-unreleased tracks.
74 never-before-heard songs.
A box set that includes a 100-page hardcover book.
Available June 27.
82 previously-unreleased tracks.
74 never-before-heard songs.
A box set that includes a 100-page hardcover book.
Available June 27.
Bruce Springsteen - Tracks II: The Lost Albums Trailer
YouTube video by BruceSpringsteenVEVO
youtu.be
April 3, 2025 at 2:47 PM
No one talk to me for a week after June 27th.
A quick and easy to use tool to email your representatives to save the NEH.
URGENT ACTION NEEDED: Save the NEH. Please join us in expressing support for the NEH and its critical role in preserving American history, culture, and the intellectual life of all Americans. #Humanities
URGENT: Save the NEH
I just took action to oppose the elimination of the National Endowment for the Humanities! Join me and take action here.
p2a.co
April 2, 2025 at 7:25 PM
A quick and easy to use tool to email your representatives to save the NEH.
It’s fascinating to watch the reaction to @booker.senate.gov ‘s over 16hr speech on the Senate floor. On the one hand, there’s a lot of applause - others claim he’s not actually doing anything worthwhile.
As someone studying historical resistance, resistance takes many forms.
As someone studying historical resistance, resistance takes many forms.
April 1, 2025 at 4:46 PM
It’s fascinating to watch the reaction to @booker.senate.gov ‘s over 16hr speech on the Senate floor. On the one hand, there’s a lot of applause - others claim he’s not actually doing anything worthwhile.
As someone studying historical resistance, resistance takes many forms.
As someone studying historical resistance, resistance takes many forms.
Thanks for the invite! Always love talking about cemeteries!
@abcurry.bsky.social doing us a solid and guest lecturing for my Jewish History class on cemeteries and death in the historical perspective.
March 25, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Thanks for the invite! Always love talking about cemeteries!
Very grateful for the support of fellow grad students throughout the PhD process.
I recently started a Zoom working group with grad friends I met at various conferences over the years. It’s turned into a super consistent and supportive part of my week. It’s lovely. And grad students are the best.
I recently started a Zoom working group with grad friends I met at various conferences over the years. It’s turned into a super consistent and supportive part of my week. It’s lovely. And grad students are the best.
March 19, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Very grateful for the support of fellow grad students throughout the PhD process.
I recently started a Zoom working group with grad friends I met at various conferences over the years. It’s turned into a super consistent and supportive part of my week. It’s lovely. And grad students are the best.
I recently started a Zoom working group with grad friends I met at various conferences over the years. It’s turned into a super consistent and supportive part of my week. It’s lovely. And grad students are the best.
Just read about Jesse Eisenberg being granted Polish citizenship earlier this week.
I looked into this a few years ago - we have so much documentation of my family’s Polish roots but Polish law is quite specific and we wouldn’t qualify.
Back then, people questioned why I would want Polish
I looked into this a few years ago - we have so much documentation of my family’s Polish roots but Polish law is quite specific and we wouldn’t qualify.
Back then, people questioned why I would want Polish
March 7, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Just read about Jesse Eisenberg being granted Polish citizenship earlier this week.
I looked into this a few years ago - we have so much documentation of my family’s Polish roots but Polish law is quite specific and we wouldn’t qualify.
Back then, people questioned why I would want Polish
I looked into this a few years ago - we have so much documentation of my family’s Polish roots but Polish law is quite specific and we wouldn’t qualify.
Back then, people questioned why I would want Polish
New thinking point:
What would x experience have been like if there had been no men in the room?
What would x experience have been like if there had been no men in the room?
February 27, 2025 at 4:14 PM
New thinking point:
What would x experience have been like if there had been no men in the room?
What would x experience have been like if there had been no men in the room?
It’s been so long since the last time I received genuinely good news that I’m not sure when I’ll ever get good news again.
February 25, 2025 at 11:15 PM
It’s been so long since the last time I received genuinely good news that I’m not sure when I’ll ever get good news again.
As a society, we didn’t deserve a good Super Bowl game.
February 10, 2025 at 3:49 AM
As a society, we didn’t deserve a good Super Bowl game.
Tomorrow night!
Talk includes stories about greedy men, cemetery abuse, and one man that became known as the “King of the Dead.”
Register in link below.
Talk includes stories about greedy men, cemetery abuse, and one man that became known as the “King of the Dead.”
Register in link below.
From Burial Society to Funeral Home with @uncjewishstudies.bsky.social
Feb 3 at 5:30pm
To register:
jewishstudies.unc.edu/event/curry/
Feb 3 at 5:30pm
To register:
jewishstudies.unc.edu/event/curry/
Emerging Scholars: From Burial Society to Funeral Home
jewishstudies.unc.edu
February 2, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Tomorrow night!
Talk includes stories about greedy men, cemetery abuse, and one man that became known as the “King of the Dead.”
Register in link below.
Talk includes stories about greedy men, cemetery abuse, and one man that became known as the “King of the Dead.”
Register in link below.
Reposted by Alison B. Curry
From an ad in Gazeta Żydowska for Motl Pinkiert’s funeral business in the Warsaw ghetto.
The Pinkiert name would become synonymous with death in the ghetto, particularly as Pinkiert cashed in on high death rates.
I’ll be sharing more on this in my Zoom talk, one week from today.
The Pinkiert name would become synonymous with death in the ghetto, particularly as Pinkiert cashed in on high death rates.
I’ll be sharing more on this in my Zoom talk, one week from today.
January 27, 2025 at 5:28 PM
From an ad in Gazeta Żydowska for Motl Pinkiert’s funeral business in the Warsaw ghetto.
The Pinkiert name would become synonymous with death in the ghetto, particularly as Pinkiert cashed in on high death rates.
I’ll be sharing more on this in my Zoom talk, one week from today.
The Pinkiert name would become synonymous with death in the ghetto, particularly as Pinkiert cashed in on high death rates.
I’ll be sharing more on this in my Zoom talk, one week from today.
From an ad in Gazeta Żydowska for Motl Pinkiert’s funeral business in the Warsaw ghetto.
The Pinkiert name would become synonymous with death in the ghetto, particularly as Pinkiert cashed in on high death rates.
I’ll be sharing more on this in my Zoom talk, one week from today.
The Pinkiert name would become synonymous with death in the ghetto, particularly as Pinkiert cashed in on high death rates.
I’ll be sharing more on this in my Zoom talk, one week from today.
January 27, 2025 at 5:28 PM
From an ad in Gazeta Żydowska for Motl Pinkiert’s funeral business in the Warsaw ghetto.
The Pinkiert name would become synonymous with death in the ghetto, particularly as Pinkiert cashed in on high death rates.
I’ll be sharing more on this in my Zoom talk, one week from today.
The Pinkiert name would become synonymous with death in the ghetto, particularly as Pinkiert cashed in on high death rates.
I’ll be sharing more on this in my Zoom talk, one week from today.
Another plug for my Zoom talk on Feb 3 with @uncjewishstudies.bsky.social
Register for free at link below!
Register for free at link below!
Mon., Feb. 3, 5:30pm, Zoom.
Registration is required.
Remote Emerging Scholars talk with Alison Curry, department of history.
From Burial Society to Funeral Home:
Rupture and Continuity in Communal Care for the Jewish Deceased in the Polish Lands, 1918-1945
Details: jewishstudies.unc.edu
Registration is required.
Remote Emerging Scholars talk with Alison Curry, department of history.
From Burial Society to Funeral Home:
Rupture and Continuity in Communal Care for the Jewish Deceased in the Polish Lands, 1918-1945
Details: jewishstudies.unc.edu
January 15, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Another plug for my Zoom talk on Feb 3 with @uncjewishstudies.bsky.social
Register for free at link below!
Register for free at link below!
My review of Once There was Warsaw for @ingeveb.bsky.social, an incredibly compelling memoir recently translated into English.
Alison B. Curry reviews Once There Was Warsaw by Ber Kutsher, translated by Gerald Marcus, which "provides incredible insight into how ordinary Jews handled extraordinary moments in history."
https://buff.ly/4aoOBCQ
https://buff.ly/4aoOBCQ
January 14, 2025 at 11:48 PM
My review of Once There was Warsaw for @ingeveb.bsky.social, an incredibly compelling memoir recently translated into English.