About Jewish Studies

What is Jewish Studies?

Jewish Studies is an interdisciplinary field that explores Jewish history, texts, languages, and the diverse philosophical, cultural, political, and religious traditions of Jewish communities across the globe and over the span of three thousand years. The Jewish Studies program at Elon provides students with the opportunity to explore these aspects of Jewish civilization from a range of disciplinary perspectives. Our program brings together courses from departments including Religious Studies, World Languages and Cultures, Philosophy, History and Geography, Sociology and Anthropology, Political Science and Policy Studies, and English. In addition, Jewish Studies at Elon strives to offer and (co-)host academic programming that addresses the historical and contemporary experiences of the Jewish people from a range of disciplinary perspectives. To this end, the Jewish Studies Program at Elon is pleased to collaborate and support events with other academic departments as well as interdisciplinary programs and centers on the Elon campus whose offerings further this goal.

What Jewish Studies courses will be offered at Elon this year?

Prior to pre-registration each semester, we update the list of courses that will be taught in the coming semester. If you have questions about what will be taught in future semesters, please contact Jewish Studies program coordinator Prof. Andrea Sinn.

Who teaches Jewish Studies courses at Elon?

Our faculty have expertise in a variety of Jewish Studies fields, and their teaching covers issues ranging from Falafel Nation to Satan and the Supernatural, and from Middle East Politics to Fascism and Propaganda. Jewish Studies faculty have published books and peer-reviewed articles including:

• Twice-Dead: Moshe Y. Lubling, the Ethics of Memory, and the Treblinka Revolt (English, 2007; Hebrew, 2009)
• Like a Bride Adorned: Reading Metaphor in John’s Apocalypse (2007)
• Jewish Politics and Press in the Early Republic (German, 2014)
• Sharing the Burden: Rabbi Simhah Zissel Ziv and the Path of Musar (2015)
• “Features of Foreign Policy Birds: Israeli Prime Ministers as Hawks and Doves” (2020)
• German Jews and Migration to the United States, 1933–1945 (2022)
• Modern Musar: Contested Virtues in Jewish Thought (2022)

Can I take Jewish Studies courses abroad?

Yes. Elon runs a winter-term course focused on the Holocaust that travels through Europe. Our students also take Jewish Studies courses through programs including the International School at the University of Haifa, the DanceJerusalem program at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and the CET Jewish Studies in Prague program.  Click here for more information.

Who are the Jewish Studies speakers who will be visiting campus this year?

Please see our list of upcoming events (and videos from past events).

Is there a relationship between Jewish Studies and Elon Hillel?

Although there is no formal connection between the programs, the Jewish Studies program is proud to have a strong collaborative relationship with Elon Hillel.  For more information about Elon Hillel please visit their website.