Biographical Note
Miriam Gillis-Carlebach was born in Hamburg, the third daughter of Chief Rabbi Dr. Joseph Zvi Carlebach and Lotte Carlebach (née Preuss). In November 1938, at the age of 16, she immigrated to Mandatory Palestine, where she continued her studies at the Religious Youth Village under the guidance of Dr. Eugen Michaelis.
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In 1944, she married Moshe Gillis, a nature teacher, and the couple settled in Kfar Avraham near Petah Tikva. Early in her career, she served as a remedial teacher at the Amishav transition camps (Ma'abarot). Her academic journey culminated in 1985 when she earned a Ph.D. in Special Education and Hebrew Reading Instruction. A pioneering educator and researcher, she founded the Hadad Center for Dyslexia Research in 1986.
In collaboration with the University of Hamburg, she established the Joseph Carlebach Institute, commemorating the life and legacy of her father, Rabbi Dr. Joseph Zvi Carlebach (1883–1942), his family, and the Jewish community of Hamburg—many of whom perished in the Holocaust.
Over a career spanning nearly four decades, Prof. Dr. Miriam Gillis-Carlebach was deeply engaged in academic research and teaching. She authored and edited numerous works on the biographies of Rabbi Dr. Joseph Carlebach and Lotte Carlebach, the history of the Carlebach family, the Jewish communities of Hamburg and Altona, Holocaust education, and special education.
During her extensive academic and public activities, Miriam won numerous awards and honors, including: Honorary Senator of Hamburg University [1995], German Federal Cross of Merit (Bundesverdienstkreuz) 2008], Honorary Doctorate from Oldenburg University [2009], Medal for Art and Science from the City of Hamburg [2017].
Collection Overview
The Archive documents the extensive research and scholarly work of Prof. Dr. Miriam Gillis-Carlebach. The collection-available in Hebrew, German, and English-comprises official and private correspondence, administrative records, publications, newspaper clippings, and audiovisual recordings. It also features modern digital records, including a comprehensive printed email archive.
The bulk of the MGC Archive collection is housed at the
Central Archives for the History of the Jewish People in Jerusalem.
A significant portion of the research materials and media holdings is retained at the Carlebach Institute.
The JCI Library provides also digital access to a growing selection of text, print, and photo materials from this collection.
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The collection is organized into the following key subject areas:- [BIO] Biographical materials related to personal life data, including handwritten records, notebooks, certificates, academic awards, and interviews.
- [JC] Materials related to biographical research projects and publications on Joseph and Lotte Carlebach, including extensive correspondence, historical documents, newspaper clippings, translated works, and related materials.
- [JCI ] Administrative papers related to the establishment and operation of the Institute, including partnerships, international conferences, educational programs, public activities, and related materials.