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Why Study Jewish Studies
Jewish studies explores the full spectrum of Jewish experience — past and present, local and global, relational and comparative. You’ll examine post-Holocaust identity, Judaism and politics, antisemitism and racism, and the rich diversity of Jewish cultures around the world. Courses also dive into literature, film, media, the arts, interfaith perspectives, and questions of gender and sexuality, giving you a multidimensional understanding of Jewish life and its impact on modern culture.
A major or minor in Jewish studies opens doors across many fields, including education, law, journalism, government, diplomacy, media, health care, business, nonprofits, and the arts. You’ll graduate with strong analytic skills, cultural insight, and global awareness, qualities valued in any career path.
Explore Jewish Life and Culture
Engage with the texts, histories, and lived experiences that have shaped Jewish communities across centuries and continents.
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Jewish studies majors and minors build critical thinking around religion, ethics, and culture. The program pairs well with fields like anthropology, business, education, history, political science, and more. Interdisciplinary courses and events enrich learning. Hofstra also offers Hebrew Language and Literature courses through the Department of Comparative Literature, Languages, and Linguistics.
Hofstra’s Jewish studies majors have a wide array of opportunities for employment after graduation. Many graduates from the Kalikow School of Government, Public Policy and International Affairs — of which Jewish studies is a part — opt to pursue graduate degrees at top educational institutions.
Learning Through Dialogue & Discovery
While Jewish studies is a small program, it has an engaged faculty and a full calendar. Acclaimed scholars, journalists, and authors are invited to speak on cultural, political, and historical issues. These guests have expertise in subjects such as the Jewish diaspora, the political climate in Israel and Argentina, Afro-Jewish affairs, and the impact of the Holocaust.
Additionally, the Hofstra Cultural Center presents the popular Issues in Judaism series, consisting of lectures, film screenings, and performances on a number of topics dealing with ancient and modern Jewish history.
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Florence and Robert Kaufman Endowed Chair in Jewish Studies
Santiago Slabodsky
Associate Professor (Jewish Studies, Decoloniality, Liberation Theology, and Latin American & Caribbean Studies)
Room 104J Heger Hall
Discover how a major or minor in Jewish studies can broaden your worldview, strengthen your critical thinking, and prepare you for meaningful work in a global society.