Jewish Studies

The program covers Jewish culture and history from its beginnings to Modern times, and is divided into two main periods: from Ancient to early Medieval times and from Medieval to Modern times. Courses are offered in textual studies, history, philosophy, and culture, and include study tours in Jerusalem (see sample of courses below). Language instruction is offered in Modern Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew, Akkadian, Greek, and Literary and Colloquial Arabic. 

Course List Sample: 

Required Courses 

·         Approaching Classical Jewish Texts: Ancient until Modern Times 

 Elective Courses (sample courses) 

• The Rabbinic World View 
• Trends in Medieval Kabbalah 
• The Secrets of Maimonides’ Guide of the Perplexed 
• Eschatology in the Late Second Temple Period: Qumran, Nascent Christianity and   Beyond 
• Crisis and Identity: Jewish Intellectuals in the Modern World         
• Jerusalem in History, Art and Literature: Between Imagination and Reality 
• The Origin of Modern Jewish Studies 
• Einstein's Question: The Holocaust in History, Trauma and Culture 
• Jews under the Habsburg Double Eagle 
• Transformation of German Jewry

Religious Studies Courses 

•  Current Trends in the Study of Religion

• Issues in the Study of Judaism in the Second Temple Period

• Jerusalem and the Temple in Early Christian and Jewish Literature

• Eschatology in Late Second Temple Period: Qumran, Nascent Christianity and   Beyond

• Religion and Politics in Comparative Perspective

Students are encouraged to study an additional ancient language. Students who opt to do so will be able, in consultation with their advisor, to reduce the above credit load. 

Qualified students with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education are eligible for admission to the program. Admission is competitive and based on transcripts and letters of recommendation. Students must have:

• at least a 3.2 ("B") grade-point average 
• a relevant background in Jewish studies 
• be prepared to enroll in at least level Gimel Hebrew at the beginning of their first semester of study. Students who have minimal or no knowledge of Hebrew (levels Aleph-Bet) will be required to attend the Summer Ulpan prior to their first and second year of the program. 

Knowledge of English: Applicants are required to submit official TOEFL, IELTS, or Amir scores. The minimum TOEFL score required is 89 on the internet-based test.  The minimum IELTS score is 7. The minimum Amir score is 220. 

Exempted from this requirement are applicants who have completed a full degree (a minimum of four years) taught solely in English at a recognized institution of higher education. Applicants who have completed a B.A. in English Language and Literature may request an exemption provided that they submit documentation from their university stating that the language of instruction is English.