Ensuring that the richness of Jewish culture is energetically presented at Cornell.

Jewish Studies Program

Founded on the conviction that the record contained in the languages, literature, and history of the Jewish people, as these developed across the globe and over thousands of years, are an integral part of human heritage.

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Jewish Studies News

Alumni gift endows director position for Jewish Studies Program

The $5 million gift from Joseph Lubeck ’78 offers the Jewish Studies Program foundational support for the future.

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Celebrating “What Works” in creating engaging learning experiences

The Center for Teaching Innovation will host “What Works,” on Oct. 1, featuring presentations, the Canvas Course Spotlight awardees, and a poster showcase that will demonstrate engaged learning approaches from Cornell faculty teaching in a diverse range of courses and fields.

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Holocaust testimony is AI litmus test, and it fails

A Cornell historian argues that human historians are vital to capture the emotional and moral complexity behind world events.

Fall Holidays and Jewish Students

The KNIGHTLYnews is an online forum where FWS instructors and other teachers of writing can swap and share ideas for best classroom practice.

New book introduces Maimonides, ‘one of civilization’s greatest minds’

Maimonides, one of the most significant intellectual figures of the medieval period,worked as a physician, thought like a scientist, and served as a leader of the Jewish community in Cairo.

Two people looking over a text on a computer

Special career workshop focuses on outlook for 2026

“This year, we highly recommend that students employ a well-defined strategy of targeting companies and tailoring their resume to applications."

Former NYT editor named Distinguished Visiting Journalist

Sam Tanenhaus is the former editor-in-chief of both the New York Times’ Book Review and the Week in Review and was a Times writer at large.

Morris J. Escoll in a suit, black and white

An award-winning essay (1916) on Jewish life at Cornell by Morris J. Escoll

An award-winning essay (1916) on Jewish life at Cornell by Morris J. Escoll.

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Jewish Studies Events

Nov 05

Wednesday

Pizza & Info Session: Jewish Studies Spring 2026 Classes

Wednesday, Nov, 05 - 04:30 PM

White Hall 410

This is a inperson event.

Add to your calendar

Description

Open to Cornell students.

Event access

Cornell students

Nov 13

Thursday

Admiel Kosman- "The Hero's Name as a Literary Device in the Talmudic Story in Gender Context: Mar Ukva and his Wife (BT Ketubot 67b)"

Thursday, Nov, 13 - 05:00 PM

This is a virtual event.

Add to your calendar

Event speaker

Admiel Kosman

University of Potsdam, Germany

Description

The Talmudic story at the center of this presentation is about Mar Ukva, leader of the Jewish exile in Babylon, in the fourth century CE, and his wife (who appears nameless in the story). Kosman explores the theological questions that the story poses and analyzes the point of view of the Talmudic narrator on the relationship between the masculine and the feminine.

Virtual/hybrid event information

https://cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_o8jW2qKaSISYMkU0Ktof0Q

Event access

public

Contact information

For more information contact K.E. von Wittelsbach

https://jewishstudies.cornell.edu

Nov 19

Wednesday

Inside the Negotiation Room

Wednesday, Nov, 19 - 07:30 PM

Statler Hall 196

This is a inperson event.

Add to your calendar

Event speaker

Dennis Ross

Former US Ambassador

Description

Join us for a conversation with Dennis Ross, veteran American diplomat who has negotiated with Israeli leaders and played key roles in Oslo II and the 2000 Camp David Summit, and Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh, the first Druze woman in the Knesset.

Together, they will explore the complex dynamics shaping Israel and Gaza today, offering analysis on potential pathways forward and the challenges facing the region.

Event access

Public

Contact information

For more information contact Emily Block, 2035564370

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Engage with Jewish Studies

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Major in Jewish studies

Start your journey by taking a class such as “Introduction to Judaism” (JWST 2644), studying Hebrew or Yiddish, or enrolling in or one of the many other courses we offer.

Tempted by more than one Jewish studies course? Consider pursuing a major in Jewish studies.

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Attend a program

Participate in a Yiddish conversation hour, Fridays at noon on Zoom.

Participate in our Hebrew Hangout, Thursdays 9:30-10:00am, 410 White Hall (Fall 2025 Schedule). Contact Shalom Shoer for more information.

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Conduct Research

Explore the resources at the Cornell Library.

Apply for funding to support summer research and travel. We offer summer funding to Cornell undergraduate and graduate students.

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Support the program

Your support enables the program to enhance the experience for undergraduate students. Gifts can help fund lectures and conferences, student research, distinguished speakers, and other program priorities. We will greatly appreciate and immediately put into use any gift, no matter the amount.

Give to Jewish Studies

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