fostering research and scholarship in Judaic Studies; providing resources for continuing education and community service
The Center for Judaic Studies and Contemporary Jewish Life was established in 1979 with the support of philanthropists Doris and Simon Konover. In 2013, Professor Jeffrey Shoulson succeeded the Center’s founding Director, Arnold Dashefsky, as Director and Konover Chair of Judaic Studies, a position made possible through the generous $1.5-million endowment from the Konover Foundation.
The Center seeks to promote the academic and scholarly study of Jewish history, culture, and civilization in recognition of the need to bring that study to a general audience. Center activities are open to all persons, regardless of religious or ethnic background.
The Center actively works with many departments, centers, programs, and institutes across the university on instructional, research, and programming initiatives in areas of shared interest. Faculty affiliated with the Center also have formal working relationships with several institutions of higher learning in Israel, including the University of Haifa, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and the University of Tel Aviv.
Our mission is to foster research and scholarship in Judaic Studies, to enrich undergraduate and graduate education in Judaic Studies as part of a general liberal arts education, and to provide resources for continuing education and community service.
