Jewish civilization has a 4,000 year history of development and achievement from antiquity to today. Nested among civilizations from the ancient to the contemporary Near East and beyond, Jewish culture has contributed to (and drawn upon) the great ideas of both East and West.
Knowledge of Judaism is essential to a full understanding of the development of Christianity and Islam. The history of the Jewish Diaspora enlightens us about European and Middle Eastern history. Jewish literature chronicles the upheavals in both Jewish society and the larger world. Issues of Jewish identity — changing gender roles, the metamorphosis of the family, the loss of community — parallel developments in the modern world.
Finally, Jewish studies courses confront the best and the worst in human nature from the Biblical era through the Holocaust and the creation of Israel. The minor will appeal to students of varied backgrounds and career interests since it is interdisciplinary and presented in the wider context of ancient and modern society. Drawn from the liberal arts, Jewish studies will prepare students to live and work in a multicultural world.
New courses, special topics, or Minimester courses may be accepted for the minor, or counted toward it, with the approval of the director of the Jewish Studies program.
Here are some of the events happening on campus in the approaching months.
Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Also called Chag HaMatzot (the Festival of Matzah), it commemorates the Exodus and freedom of the Israelites from ancient Egypt
Torah: Exodus 13:1-16; Numbers 28:19-25
Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Also called Chag HaMatzot (the Festival of Matzah), it commemorates the Exodus and freedom of the Israelites from ancient Egypt
Torah: Exodus 22:24-23:19; Numbers 28:19-25
Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Also called Chag HaMatzot (the Festival of Matzah), it commemorates the Exodus and freedom of the Israelites from ancient Egypt
Torah: Exodus 33:12-34:26; Numbers 28:19-25
Haftarah: Ezekiel 37:1-14
Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Also called Chag HaMatzot (the Festival of Matzah), it commemorates the Exodus and freedom of the Israelites from ancient Egypt
Torah: Numbers 9:1-14, 28:19-25
Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Also called Chag HaMatzot (the Festival of Matzah), it commemorates the Exodus and freedom of the Israelites from ancient Egypt
Torah: Exodus 13:17-15:26; Numbers 28:19-25
Haftarah: II Samuel 22:1-51
Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Also called Chag HaMatzot (the Festival of Matzah), it commemorates the Exodus and freedom of the Israelites from ancient Egypt
Torah: Deuteronomy 15:19-16:17; Numbers 28:19-25
Haftarah: Isaiah 10:32-12:6
Holocaust Memorial Day
Israeli Memorial Day. Remembers those who died in the War of Independence and other wars in Israel. The full name of the holiday is Yom HaZikaron LeHalalei Ma'arakhot Yisrael ul'Nifge'ei Pe'ulot HaEivah (Hebrew: יוֹם הזִּכָּרוֹן לְחַלְלֵי מַעֲרָכוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל וּלְנִפְגְעֵי פְּעֻלּוֹת הָאֵיבָה), Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers of the Wars of Israel and Victims of Actions of Terrorism. Although Yom Hazikaron is normally observed on the 4th of Iyyar, it may be moved earlier or postponed if observance of the holiday (or Yom HaAtzma'ut, which always follows it) would conflict with Shabbat
