Marci was a brilliant academic, who was passionate about medieval Jewish history. She wrote her doctorate about the travels of Benjamin of Tudela. In June of 2024, Marci was able to fulfill her goal of following in Benjamin's footsteps by moving to Israel.

Marci arrived in Leeds in July 2008, to begin work on her Master’s Degree in medieval history. That same year, she attended her first International Medieval Congress (IMC). After graduating Leeds, Marci continued attending the IMC whilst working on her PhD at the University of Manchester. Thereafter, Marci continued to attend the conference every year until her death in 2024.

As a student, she volunteered at the conference, helping to facilitate the smooth running of panels, answering attendees’ queries, and chaperoning conference goers on day trips to medieval sites in and around Leeds. In addition to the support that she lent to the conference as a student volunteer, she also organized round tables and panel discussions, which enabled medieval scholars, such as herself, to connect and learn from one and other. Marci also presented her own research at the IMC, raising awareness about medieval Jewish travel literature, while contributing her scholastic knowledge which helped to expand the field.

As an Independent Scholar, Marci was awarded bursaries by the IMC fund to enable her to attend the conference.

To honour Marci's memory and continue her legacy, we, her parents, would like to set up a bursary in her name. We are asking for donations to The Marci Freedman Bursary Fund, which will be distributed through the IMC. The bursary will be set up to help pay for other young, independent scholars, like Marci, to attend the conference.

The money will then be transferred to The University of Leeds IMC Bursary Fund. The bursary will begin to be distributed next year for attendance at the 2026 IMC and beyond.

The recipient awarded the bursary from this special fund will be acknowledged in that year’s conference programme book.

Thank you

Lori & Jeffrey Freedman