Fourteen Tracks of Interdisciplinary Jewish Studies

New! Marpeh, a unique program specializing in Health-care Chaplaincy which combines Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) with an M.A. degree in Family and Community Studies.

 

 Hebrew and Jewish Literature explores the connection between the development of Jewish literature throughout the ages and modern Hebrew literature as a response to Zionism and the Jewish State. 

 

Sephardic Studies

The first time to be offered by an Israeli academic institution, this interdisciplinary track includes courses on Spanish Jewry, Conversos, the history of the Jews of Iran, Iraq, Syria and North Africa and the Status of Jews in Islamic culture.

 

NEW! Contemporary Jewry

This new track combines courses in Zionism, the Holocaust, Modern Jewish Thought and Modern Jewish History.

 

Judaism and the Arts -- first of its kind in the world --
This track examines the various expressions of aesthetics in Judaism, and the use of art in the fostering of Jewish values. Artistic expression is examined textually, ritually and culturally. The program develops art appreciation skills and the ability to integrate the arts into Jewish education and life. 

Family and Community Studies
Intended for directors and coordinators of community centers, as well as community and family social workers, this program explores the areas where Jewish education and community work intersect.

Informal Jewish Education
This program is designed for educators in the field of social and informal education who wish to broaden their knowledge of Jewish subjects and to explore ways in which Jewish and social education can be integrated.

Women's and Jewish Studies

This is the first program of its kind in Israel. A specific Jewish emphasis is placed on Women's Studies, to help change the perception and status of women in Jewish society, especially in Israel.

Interdisciplinary Degree
Students are offered the opportunity to earn an interdisciplinary degree by exploring a number of fields of Jewish studies, including Bible, Talmud, Halakhah, Jewish Thought and Midrash.

Talmud and Halakhah
Tools for critical and in-depth studies in Talmud are acquired and used in applied halakhic studies in current issues such as medicine, women's status and education.

Midrash
Midrash is studied as a link between past and present. The ability to examine the many historical and literary levels of Midrashic sources is developed.

Jewish Thought
Familiarity with Jewish Thought throughout history is developed, along with an ability to analyze its sources. Skills are honed in analyzing problems of a religious, cultural and existential nature that pre-occupy Jewish thinkers of today.

Bible
Biblical sources and their commentaries are studied as historical, literary and educational texts. Critical and traditional analysis tools are developed.

Jewish History
The emphasis is on methodology and skills in analyzing original source material.

Land of Israel Studies
This track is intended for tour guides and educational professionals who specialize in the study of the land of Israel, its geography, history and archaeology and cultural anthropology. Students are familiarized with research in these fields and integrate these studies with the study of Biblical and other traditional Jewish sources that have defined the connection of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel.

Teaching Jewish Studies
Educators are trained to be leaders for Israeli society, enabling them to work with diverse segments of the population and to promote the development of a varied society secure in its Jewish roots and enriched by religious variety. Subjects include curriculum planning, family and community studies and informal education.