Program Overview
Jewish Studies
Explore Jewish cultures across centuries and continents.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Oberlin College
A Program of Endless Possibilities
Established in 1971 Oberlin’s Jewish Studies program was founded in the early years of the academic discipline
Jewish History and Travel
From Jerusalem or Tel Aviv to Paris or Berlin, Oberlin students have the opportunity to spend a semester or academic year at partner universities abroad. The Office of Study Away works closely with interested students to select the right program for their global educational goals.
Oberlin College is among the top producers of Fulbright scholars in the United States
Oberlin’s Jewish Community
Oberlin students have access to a number of extracurricular opportunities for exploring Jewish identities. Those who elect to live in the Hebrew Heritage House, which is overseen by Jewish studies faculty, share a space where they can create community, whether around a film, a Havdalah ritual, or a bagel brunch.
Undergraduate Research
I really enjoy the interdisciplinary nature of my research. It’s exhilarating to take pieces of evidence from seminal works across different fields to craft something new.
Featured Courses
JWST/HIST 281
Jewish Communities of the Ottoman Empire 1453–1914
This course focuses on Jewish communities of the Near East and North Africa from the conquest of Constantinople to World War I. It examines the experiences of Jews as one of many minorities, with special attention to the permeability of social boundaries within a multiethnic, multireligious, and multicultural empire. Emphasis will be placed on the history of Jewish-Muslim relations, specifically in contrast to the experiences of Jewish communities within Christendom.
- Taught by
- Laura Herron
JWST/RELG 253
Jewish Pilgrimage
The desire to seek spiritual fulfillment in a far-away place is a hallmark of many religious traditions, including Judaism. In this course we trace the ancient and medieval roots of Jewish pilgrimage; modern travel and pilgrimage practices that have emerged in Israel, Europe, North Africa, and the United States; and theories of pilgrimage, travel, and secularization. Traversing from the ancient Temple in Jerusalem to the Lower East Side of Manhattan, we will explore how place and movement function in diverse Jewish cultures.
- Taught by
- Shari Rabin
JWST/POLT 310
Zionisms
"Zionism" is a fiercely debated concept. For some, it evokes national liberation and rebirth, while for others it signifies oppression and inequality. Yet others, both Jewish and Christian, view the triumph of Zionism as the prelude to a messianic age. This course explores and compares a range of "Zionisms" and Zionism-adjacent political formations, from the many Jewish articulations of a Zionist vision to past and present Christian Zionisms, anti-Zionisms, post-Zionisms, and Black Zionisms.
- Taught by
- Matthew Berkman
JWST/RELG 205
Hebrew Bible in its Ancient Near Eastern Context
This course introduces the literature, religion, and history of ancient Israel as contained within the Hebrew Bible as well as the interpretation methods modern scholars use to understand this ancient text. Biblical writings will be studied within the context of other ancient Near Eastern texts. Thematic emphases include the emergence of monotheism, the conceptualization of the divine/human relationship, the mediation of priest, prophet and king, and issues of canon. Prerequisites and Notes: Identical to RELG 205. No previous knowledge of the Hebrew Bible is assumed.
- Taught by
- Cynthia (Cindy) Chapman
Student Profiles
Exploring a Passage from Exodus
A Jewish studies, history, and classics triple major, Elliot Diaz '23 is researching the conflicting interpretations of an important biblical passage, relevant to contemporary debates on abortion.
Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Fellow
At Oberlin, Jesse Gamoran ’16 majored in history, German studies, and Jewish studies. After graduation he was selected to participate in the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals (CBYX) fellowship program.
A Fulbright Fellowship to Taiwan
A psychology major with a minor in Jewish studies, Talia Greenberg ’15 performed with CHALLaH cappella, a Jewish music a cappella group she and Lyz Glickman ’13 founded in 2012. After graduation, Talia was awarded a 10-month Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) in Taiwan.
What does Jewish Studies at Oberlin look like?
Department chair Shari Rabin and former chair and committee member Cynthia Chapman celebrate at the opening of the student-curated 50th anniversary exhibit.
Photo credit: Jacob Strauss
Student researcher Sasha Goldman gives a tour of the exhibit on the history of Oberlin's Jewish studies program to Eleanor Bolker.
Photo credit: Jacob Strauss
A special performance by Oberlin's klezmer band, Shtik-and-Poke, during the 50th anniversary celebration.
Photo credit: Jonathan Clark
Students and faculty applaud Shtik-and-Poke.
Photo credit: Jonathan Clark
Students in the 2024 Winter Term course Exploring Jewish Languages: Hebrew and Yiddish.
Photo credit: Mike Crupi
Major Elliot Diaz moderates a discussion with alumni Kendell Pinckney '09 (on Zoom), Amalia Haas '91, and David Eaton '71.
Photo credit: Jonathan Clark
