Austin Albanese

Austin Albanese is a historian, writer, and speaker whose work brings overlooked histories to life—especially those rooted in Jewish memory, civic identity, and small-town America. Drawing from over a decade of research, he has documented Jewish communities in more than 20 towns across Ohio and New York, weaving together public records, family stories, and forgotten archives.

Austin’s public talks explore themes of belonging, faith, and intergenerational memory. His lectures have been hosted by museums, libraries, Jewish institutions, and historical societies—from the Cayuga Museum of History and Art in Auburn, NY, to the Jewish Community Center of Youngstown.

A contributor to outlets like The Times of Israel, The Jerusalem Post, The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Deseret News, and The Columbus Dispatch, Austin’s writing has also been syndicated across Yahoo, MSN, and the Advance Local network. His essays connect history to present-day questions of identity, resilience, and community.

With a Master of Public Administration from Cornell University and a background in nonprofit leadership, Austin speaks with both intellectual depth and real-world insight. He believes storytelling is more than performance—it’s a tool for memory, meaning, and change.