Works Authored

Intangible heritage is an emerging area of study that would be strengthened by a communication
perspective. Narrative serves as a foundational structure and method of creating both individual
and group identity and has strong foundations in the field of communication. Theoretical
linkages between the two constructs strengthen scholarship on group identity in the field of
communication. However, the connection between intangible heritage and narrative is not direct.
Instead, narratives draw on collective memory to create intangible heritage. This process is
demonstrated both theoretically and practically. An oral history study with 18 self-identified
American Jews shows that Jewish community members use oral narratives (storytelling) that
draw on memories of traditional holiday celebrations to create Jewish heritage. Future research
with additional populations could confirm this process.

Palestinian Investment Partners: Promoting Investment for Economic Growth

Booklet of success stories (contributing author)
https://rachelelrom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/pip-brochure-final.pdf

The Palestinian Investment Partners (PIP) was a grant program under the USAID|AED Expanded and Sustained Access to Financial Services (ESAF) Program. PIP issued grants to small, locally owned businesses in the West Bank and Gaza, Palestinian Territories, to procure new equipment and technology transfers. As part of its communication strategy, ESAF drafted success stories highlighting the benefits of PIP’s grants to the businesses and the Palestinian economy.

In the summer of 2010, Rachel traveled to the West Bank to interview grantees, research businesses, and photograph equipment to create some success stories. The ESAF team took text from Rachel’s stories to create this booklet, a compilation of the project’s success stories.

Prezi: The TOPS Program

Presentation
https://prezi.com/sd8vwyaatldy/the-technical-and-operational-performance-support-program/

This presentation about the USAID-funded Technical and Operational Performance Support (TOPS) Program was displayed for independent viewing at TOPS-attended events.

Small Grants, Big Impact: A Retrospective of the TOPS Small Grants Program 2010-2015

Booklet
https://rachelelrom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/small-grants-big-impact-a-retrospective-of-the-tops-small-grants-program-2010-2015-november-2015.pdf

Synopsis coming soon

Toward Secularization: An Investigation of the Evolving Modern Jewish Identity

Journal article (master’s thesis)
https://rachelelrom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/rachel-elrom_secularization-paper_final.pdf

A recent [2013] study by the Pew Research Center on the state of the American Jewish community
highlighted a trend of Jewish Americans becoming less observant over the last decade. This
process, known as secularization, is traditionally defined by a linear relationship stating that
when a society modernizes it also must secularize, though some scholars argue instead each
society’s reasons for secularizing must be examined in their own context. In the American
Jewish community, secularization has been caused by immigration and assimilation,
intermarriage, and the splintering of the religion into distinct denominations. Religious
observance stopped being the defining criteria for being Jewish. An oral history study was
conducted to determine what Jewish-identified Americans deem as defining criteria to being
group members, or prototypes according to the social identity perspective. Study participants
identified that receiving Jewish education, marrying within the faith, having children with strong
Jewish identities, having a deeply ingrained Jewish identity, having flexibility in their definition
of who is Jewish, and pride in being Jewish as prototypical behaviors of being Jewish and crucial
aspects of Jewish identity.

What if I told you that you could save lots of time, money, and institutional memory with one simple action?

LinkedIn article
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-i-told-you-could-save-lots-time-money-memory-one-rachel-elrom/

Synopsis coming soon

10 Best Practices for Creating Top Training Materials

A New Wave: The State of Social Enterprise in Ukraine

After tragedy, treatment and hope for an HIV-positive mother in Tanzania

Bonding with a son & helping him grow, in a Tanzanian father’s own words

From barely surviving to thriving: A story of two Ethiopian families

Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) Program Brochure 2020

How to Get More Content Into Less Space

Narratives Draw on Collective Memory to Construct Intangible Heritage: Group Identity Formation and Implications for Communication

Palestinian Investment Partners: Promoting Investment for Economic Growth

Prezi: The TOPS Program

Small Grants, Big Impact: A Retrospective of the TOPS Small Grants Program 2010-2015

Toward Secularization: An Investigation of the Evolving Modern Jewish Identity

What if I told you that you could save lots of time, money, and institutional memory with one simple action?

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