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Jewish Studies

The culture and history of the Jewish people extends across more than three millennia, from Biblical times to the present, and spans most of the world, from the Middle East to Latin American and from Eastern Europe to North America. Jewish Studies at Huron offers students an interdisciplinary look at the history of Judaism and the Jews, examining the religious, social, economic, and cultural development of Judaism and Jewish life, and relationships between Jews and other communities.

JEWISH STUDIES BROCHURE

Alumni Stories

An academic pursuit centred around the brilliance and resilience of the Jewish people has prepared our alumni to tackle extraordinarily challenging careers that demand critical thinking skills, cultural sensitivity and fine-tuned argumentation and communication abilities. Learn about where Jewish Studies has propelled our alumni and gain an appreciation for our these unique course offerings can empower you to be Leader with Heart across a wide variety of sectors.

HONORS SPECIALIZATION
SPECIALIZATION
MAJOR
MINOR
Jewish Studies

Learn more about the following programs offered in Jewish Studies:

Major
Minor

Professors

As a collaborative and interdisciplinary program, Jewish Studies offers students unique access to several different personalities and areas of expertise, as they are given the opportunity to study under professors from each of the affiliate colleges and Western University. However, as our students call Huron home, they can trust they will always receive individualized support from experts in this field who are excited about guiding their students to a greater understanding of Jewish linguistics, culture and history.

Jewish Studies Department

Program Coordinator

Program sessional and per course instructors 

Affiliated Faculty

Jewish Studies Courses

From learning oral and written Hebrew through to studying Jewish philosophical contemplations, Jewish Studies will help students attain a well-rounded understanding of this formidable religion, culture and language. Learn about the traumatic consequences of the Holocaust, as well as the heroic actions and brilliant ideas of the Jewish people who have contributed to building their communities’ to-be-admired foundation.

Introduction to Modern Jewish Thought is a new, first-year course designed to give students the chance to sample the kind of material offered in a Jewish Studies Major or Minor. It looks at recent Jewish philosophical self-understandings, and contemporary Jewish biblical scholarship dealing with moral issues such as sexuality, reproductive issues, the position of women, capital punishment and the environment.

After your first year, you can explore issues such as: Jewish film studies, Hebrew poetry & prose, Jewish women artists, Perceptions of the Middle East, the Holocaust, Jews and Muslims, Politics of the Middle East, Jewish philosophy, biblical and contemporary Hebrew.

2024 - 2025 Courses
Course – see link for Academic Calendar description Instructor Section – see links for Course Outlines (Huron only)
Huron University College
Jewish Studies / Hebrew 1020 – Introduction to the Modern Hebrew Language Ishai 550
Jewish Studies 1250G – Introduction to Modern Jewish Thought Sabo 550
Jewish Studies 1370F – The Problem of Anti-Semitism Tesler-Mabé 550
Jewish Studies 2145F – Jewish Humour: From Bible to Borat Tesler-Mabé 550
Jewish Studies / Hebrew 2200 – Hebrew II Ishai 550
Jewish Studies / Religious Studies 2420B – Gods, Empires, Kings, & Rebels: The Hebrew Bible in Context TBD 550
Jewish Studies / Philosophy 2665G – Introduction to Jewish Philosophy I: From the Beginnings to the Italian Renaissance Conter 550
Jewish Studies / History 2821F – Jewish History from the Origin of the Israelites to 1492CE Sabo 550
Jewish Studies / Hebrew 3300 – Advanced Modern Hebrew Language Ishai 550
Jewish Studies / Religious Studies 3450F – Judaism and the Holocaust Marks 550
Jewish Studies 3790G – Special Topics: Jewish Movies Tesler-Mabé 550
King’s University College
Religious Studies 2169B – Taming the Passions: Sex and Sexuality in Judaism Shaw 570
Religious Studies 2204G – World Religions: Judaism and Islam Hegedus 570
Religious Studies 2259F – Religion and Society in the Middle East Hegedus 570
Religious Studies 4410F – Biblical Poetry Halberstam 570
Western
History 3416G – The Holocaust Nathans 001
2023 - 2024 Courses
Course – see link for Academic Calendar description Instructor Section – see links for Course Outlines (Huron only)
Huron University College
Jewish Studies / Hebrew 1030 – Hebrew I Ishai 550
Jewish Studies / Hebrew 1040A – Introduction to Biblical Hebrew I Sabo 550
Jewish Studies / Hebrew 1041B – Introduction to Biblical Hebrew II Sabo 550
Jewish Studies 1250G – Introduction to Modern Jewish Thought Sabo 550
Jewish Studies 1370F – The Problem of Anti-Semitism Tesler-Mabé 550
Jewish Studies 2145F – Jewish Humour: From Bible to Borat Marks 550
Jewish Studies / Hebrew 2200 – Hebrew II Ishai 550
Jewish Studies / Religious Studies 2420B – Gods, Empires, Kings, & Rebels: The Hebrew Bible in Context Lemos 550
Jewish Studies / History 2822F – Jewish History from the Spanish Expulsion to the Modern Era Tesler-Mabé 550
Jewish Studies / Hebrew 3300 – Advanced Modern Hebrew Language Ishai 550
Jewish Studies / History 3416G – The Holocaust Tesler-Mabé 550
King’s University College
Religious Studies 2163B – “An Eye for an Eye”: Biblical Foundations of Crime and Punishment Halberstam 650
Religious Studies 2204G – World Religions: Judaism and Islam Hegedus 570
Religious Studies 2286F – Introduction to Judaism Knight-Messenger 570
Religious Studies / Jewish Studies 2347F – Living the Bible: Law and Ethics Halberstam 270
Western
History 3808G – Jewish Life in North America Since 1880 Halpern 001

 

2022 - 2023 Courses
Course Instructor Course Outline (Huron courses only)
Jewish 1370G: The Problem of Anti-Semitism Tesler-Mabé (Huron) 550
Jewish 1250F: Introduction to Modern Jewish Thought Sabo (Huron) 550
Jewish 2791F: Special Topics – Canadian Perspectives on the Holocaust Tesler-Mabé (Huron) 550
Jewish 3790G: Special Topics – Yiddish Film and Literature Tesler-Mabé (Huron) 550
Jewish 4790F: Special Topics – Jewish Religion, Jewish Art Tesler-Mabé (Huron) 550
Hebrew 1030: Hebrew 1 Ishai (Huron) 550
Hebrew 2200: Hebrew 2 Ishai (Huron) 550
Hebrew 3300: Advanced Modern Hebrew Language Ishai (Huron) 550
History 2821F: Jewish History from the Origins of the Israelites to 1492 CE Clark (Huron) 550
History 3808G: Jewish Life in North America Since 1880 Halpern (Western) 001
Philosophy 2667F: Introduction to Jewish Philosophy 2: Early Modern to Contemporary Conter (Huron) 550
Religious Studies 2345F: Biblical Storytelling and Adaptation Halberstam (King’s) 570
Religious Studies 3450F: Judaism and the Holocaust Marks (Huron) 550
Religious Studies 2163A: “An Eye for an Eye”: Biblical Foundations of Crime and Punishment Halberstam (King’s) 570
Religious Studies 2171B: Decolonizing the Bible Halberstam (King’s) 570
Religious Studies 2204G: World Religions: Judaism and Islam Halberstam / Tourage (King’s) 570
Religious Studies 2420B: Gods, Empires, Kings, & Rebels: The Hebrew Bible in Context TBD (Huron) 550
Religious Studies 3453F: Suffering, Grief, & Injustice Halberstam (King’s) 570
Religious Studies 4040F: Prophetic Literature Lemos (Huron) 550
2021 - 2022 Courses

Start your exploration in Jewish Studies with our 1000-level courses that will introduce you to the history, culture and language of the Jewish people. These introductory courses are accessible to students who have varying degrees of familiarity with the subject matter.

Build upon your knowledge by sharpening linguistic skills and religious and cultural awareness with more senior-level Hebrew, Religious Studies and History courses. Investigate expressions and experiences unique to the Jewish people, while also deepening your understanding of other minority and oppressed communities – and the world more broadly.

Course Instructor Course Outline
HEB 1021B – Introduction to Modern Hebrew Ishai View course outline
HEB 1030 – Hebrew I Ishai View course outline
HEB 1040A – Introduction to Biblical Hebrew TBD View course outline
HEB 1041B – Introduction to Biblical Hebrew II TBD View course outline
HEB 2200 – Hebrew II Ishai View course outline
HEB 3300 – Advanced Modern Hebrew Language Ishai View course outline
 HIST 2822F – Jewish History From 1492 TBD View course outline
HIST 3808G – Jewish Life in North America Since 1880 Halpern See Western
JEWISH 1250F – Introduction to Modern Jewish Thought Conter View course outline
JEWISH 1370G – The Problem of Anti-Semitism Hope View course outline
JEWISH 2791F – Special Topics in Jewish Studies Hope View course outline
MIT 3931G – Century of Genocidehours Grzyb See Western
RELSTUD 2163A – “An Eye For An Eye” Halberstam See King’s
 RELSTUD 2204F– World Religions: Judaism and Islam Hegedus See King’s
RELSTUD 2286F – Introduction to Judaism Halberstam See King’s
RELSTUD 2420B – The Hebrew Bible in Context TBD View course outline
RELSTUD 2347F – Living the Bible Halberstam See King’s
RELSTUD 3450F – Judaism and the Holocaust Marks View course outline
RELSTUD 4040F – Prophetic Literature Lemos View course outline
2020 - 2021 Courses
2019 - 2020 Courses

Careers

With increased empathy and globally-focused historical and cultural knowledge, Jewish Studies graduates are prepared to contribute significant value to a wide range of rewarding career paths. Whether they chose to pursue further study or leverage their transferrable skills across corporate, government and non-profit sectors, these Leaders with Heart will stand out as critical analysts, expert writers and skilled researchers and linguists.

Where will a degree in Jewish Studies take you?
  • Lawyer
  • Historian
  • Public and high school teacher
  • Professor
  • Business executive and strategist
  • Journalist
  • Accountant
  • Financial service consultant
  • Theologian
  • Salesperson
  • Social worker
  • Lobbyist
  • Community activist and service worker
  • Non-profit professional
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