Student Spotlight: Ellie Mandelker '26
2025-2026 William A. Camfield Undergraduate Fellow
Three cheers for Ellie for receiving the William A. Camfield Undergraduate Fellowship! Having studied abroad in Greece during the spring, Ellie will work as a fellow in the coming academic year at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston’s Ancient Mediterranean Art and Provenance department under Danielle Bennett, MFAH Assistant Research Curator. Ellie will be tasked with an individual project featuring a selection works of art identified as Judaica, an area of the collection with works ranging from the 5th to the 20th centuries, to expand the online collection entries.
Triple majoring in Studio Art, Art History, and Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations with a minor in Museums and Cultural Heritage, Ellie describes why she applied for this fellowship:
“I am deeply passionate about the intersection of art, cultural preservation, and the study of ancient heritage. After graduation, I plan to work in a museum, auction house, or non-profit organization focused on the restitution of Nazi-looted art. This fellowship presents an invaluable opportunity to gain hands-on experience in this field, and I am eager to contribute to this meaningful project.
Being Jewish is a central part of my identity, and my role as Vice President of Chabad at Rice has further deepened my connection to Jewish heritage. My interest in Judaica has been a driving force behind much of my academic work, particularly during my participation in the HART in the World: Rome program in the Spring and Summer of 2023. Under Dr. Crawford-Brown’s guidance, I researched the Jewish Ghetto of Rome, producing a ten-page paper that combined rigorous research at Fondren Library with firsthand exploration of the community in Rome. This experience allowed me to immerse myself in the rich history of the Jewish community there. It would undoubtedly influence my approach to this fellowship with a unique and personal perspective. I am very fortunate to study in a city with access to a museum like the MFAH, which emphasizes Judaica, and I always look forward to visiting the Albert and Ethel Herzstein Gallery whenever I am there.”