Draft:William Kolbrener

William Kolbrener

William Kolbrener is a Full Professor of English Literature at Bar-Ilan University in Israel, with a Ph.D. from Columbia University. His research explores the intersections of literature, theology, and politics, focusing on figures such as John Milton, Mary Astell, and Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik.

As the Executive Director of Writing on the Wall, a nonprofit initiative based at Bar-Ilan University, Kolbrener leads efforts to combat antisemitism through creativity and community engagement. This dual commitment to academic rigor and social activism positions him as a respected figure in both scholarly and public spheres.

Early Life and Education

Kolbrener graduated magna cum laude from Columbia College in 1983 and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. He earned a First Class M.A. in English Language and Literature at University College, Oxford (1983–1985) and completed his M.Phil. and Ph.D. with distinction at Columbia University (1986–1993).

Books and Major Works

Kolbrener is the author of several influential books that integrate literary studies, Jewish thought, and philosophy:

• Milton’s Warring Angels: A Study of Critical Engagements (Cambridge University Press, 1996): A key contribution to Renaissance studies, focusing on critical interpretations of John Milton. • Open Minded Torah: Of Irony, Fundamentalism, and Love (Continuum, 2011): A collection of essays blending Jewish tradition with contemporary thought. • The Last Rabbi: Joseph Soloveitchik and Talmudic Tradition (Indiana University Press, 2016): An exploration of Soloveitchik’s philosophical legacy in the modern age.

Academic Career

Since joining Bar-Ilan University in 1993, Kolbrener has served as Chair of the Department of English (2012–2015) and mentored students across disciplines. His interdisciplinary approach bridges literary criticism, psychoanalysis, and Jewish philosophy. He has also been a Visiting Professor at institutions like UCLA.

Kolbrener has delivered lectures globally and contributed to high-profile conferences, including the Modern Language Association and the International Milton Symposium.

Writing on the Wall

In the wake of the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, Kolbrener co-founded Writing on the Wall, a nonprofit initiative that fosters creativity and resilience through writing workshops. Based at Bar-Ilan University, the program brings together diverse voices—from poets to tech professionals—to respond to contemporary challenges.

The initiative reflects Kolbrener’s belief in writing as a transformative act, combining tradition and innovation to combat antisemitism and support collective healing.

Selected Articles and Chapters

Milton and Renaissance Literature

• “Reception”, in The Cambridge Companion to John Milton (2014). • “Dieting in Paradise: Angelic Eating, Metaphysics, and Poetry in Paradise Lost”, in Reading Paradise Lost (Modern Language Association, 2012). • “The Poverty of Context: Cambridge School History and the New Milton Criticism”, in The New Milton Criticism (Cambridge University Press, 2012).

Feminist Criticism and Early Modern Women

• “Slander and Conversation in Mary Astell”, in Women and Literature in Early Modern Britain (Ashgate, 2014). • “The Canonized Mary Astell: Gender, Canon, Context”, in Woman Editing, Editing Women (Cambridge Scholars Press, 2009).

Jewish Thought and Psychoanalysis

• “Death of Moses Revisited: Repetition and Creative Memory in Freud and the Rabbis”, American Imago (2011). • “Into the Whirlwind: The Persistence of the Dialectic in the Works of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik”, Tradition (2007).

Honors and Recognition

• James Holly Hanford Award, Milton Society of America (1993). • Mellon Fellowship in the Humanities, Woodrow Wilson Foundation (1986–1988). • Lady Davis Fellowship, Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1991–1993).

Legacy

William Kolbrener’s career demonstrates a unique ability to integrate traditional scholarship with contemporary relevance. His contributions to Renaissance studies, feminist criticism, and Jewish philosophy continue to shape academic discourse. Through Writing on the Wall, he has extended this impact into public life, fostering dialogue and resilience in response to societal challenges.