Tamar Becker joins the Melton Center for Jewish Studies at a pivotal moment for the field, bringing over a decade of experience leading a scholarly center that bridged rigorous research with public engagement. In her previous role, she provided strategic and operational oversight for all programming at a university research center focused on labour-management relations. She led conferences, workshops, faculty initiatives, and public events that translated academic research into meaningful dialogue with diverse communities. Tamar also managed a substantial faculty grant portfolio, directed strategic communications, and built partnerships across sectors. Her work demonstrated how well-designed, inclusive programming can foster connection, spark curiosity, and deepen mutual understanding.

Tamar has always been guided by a deep commitment to Jewish education, mentorship, and community. As the founding chair of a Jewish employee community network at a large university, a volunteer role she held alongside her full-time position, Tamar brought thoughtful leadership and an inclusive approach to complex challenges. She coordinated community programming that included Jewish lifecycle events, support networks, and Holocaust education, while also serving as a liaison to university leadership and public officials on urgent matters affecting the Jewish community. Her efforts required discretion, diplomacy, and timely institutional action across sectors. 

At the Melton Center, Tamar is excited to collaborate with Jewish communities across Columbus and Ohio, supporting local initiatives, building meaningful partnerships, and amplifying voices that reflect the diversity and vitality of Jewish life. She also looks forward to contributing to global conversations in Jewish studies through the Center’s international networks. Her role at the Melton Center is both a professional calling and a personal commitment. Based in Columbus, Tamar is deeply rooted in the city’s Jewish community. Her vision is shaped by years of community leadership and a lived connection to Jewish communal life, and a deep belief in the power of Jewish learning to nurture connection, resilience, and belonging. At a time when Jewish communities face urgent questions and evolving challenges, she is committed to developing programs that respond thoughtfully to contemporary Jewish concerns with insight, relevance, and care. 

With a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration and a BA in Political Science, complemented by multiple awards recognizing both scholarship and service, she brings a blend of analytical insight, leadership experience, and community-centered vision to this role. Whether designing programs or fostering dialogue within and beyond the university, Tamar approaches her work with both purpose and passion, guided by a belief that Jewish studies can illuminate the past, enrich the present, and shape the future.