Jewish Studies

Why Take Jewish Studies at K?

From political science to religion, classics to modern Hebrew, history to contemporary issues, Jewish Studies at K takes an interdisciplinary approach to learning about Judaism and the Jewish people.

Dr. Haus working with students

As a Jewish studies student, you will immerse yourself in the history, religion and culture of the Jewish people from their ancient origins through the present. You will learn about the Jewish experience across time and region by critically examining sacred, historical and contemporary texts. In intimate, small classes, you will further explore themes like the relationship between Judaism and being Jewish; how the faith has changed and been changed by the society it is practiced within; and the political status and power of the Jewish people in majority/minority relations. 

As an interdisciplinary field, you will gain this knowledge through select courses in Hebrew, religion, history, classics and political science, such as Beginning Hebrew; Introduction to Jewish Traditions; Constructing and Reconstructing Israel; Sex and the Bible; and The American Jewish Experience. Outside of the classroom, you will have the opportunity to directly apply your studies in service learning and social justice projects, as well as study abroad in Be’er Sheva, Israel. 

The critical thinking, communication, and cultural awareness skills you will gain as a Jewish studies concentrator will make you a morally aware and socially engaged citizen prepared for a variety of careers. Notably, alumni have had successful careers as religious leaders, community organizers, legal scholars, and civil rights advocates. 

What can you do with a Jewish Studies Concentration?

Below are some of the careers, employers, and graduate schools of our Jewish studies alumni.

Careers

  • Lawyer
  • Assistant Community Director

Employers

  • Anti-Defamation League
  • Capital Area District Libraries

Graduate Schools

  • Michigan State University
  • University of Arkansas

Program Spotlights

students participating in classroom discussion

Connect Jewish studies with your other academic interests 

You do not have to be Jewish to take Jewish studies; in fact, many of our students come to the concentration because of its holistic approach to learning about complex issues, such as ethics, migration, majority and minority relations, and religion. By viewing these broad topics through the specific lens of the Jewish experience, our students are better able to grasp complicated ideas and have reported having a more enriching learning experience in their other academic interests. 

Study Abroad in Be’er Sheva, Israel

While you can choose from any of the College’s 50+ study abroad programs—many of which will allow you to further your Jewish studies concentration—our students have the added option to study abroad in Be’er Sheva, Israel. During your two terms abroad, you will have the opportunity to take Hebrew language and culture courses that go beyond what K offers, take additional classes of your choice at Ben-Gurion University, travel across the country, and have the opportunity to participate in an archaeological dig.

Buzz the hornet with a passport
a class sitting in the quad

Jewish Studies creates a close-knit learning community 

As a Jewish Studies concentrator, you will be joining a close community of students who learn and grow alongside one another. One of the benefits of taking Jewish studies at a small liberal arts college is that you will get to advance through your Hebrew sequences with the same students, allowing you to connect on a deeper level with your classmates and professors. Outside of the classroom, the program arranges regular faculty-student events to get to know one another, such as group dinners and cultural movie, cooking, and game nights. 

Meet the Current Departmental Student Advisor

A portrait of Caleb Kipnis, a Kalamazoo College student with short, dark brown hair, smiling indoors against a plain white background with a framed picture. He wears a dark blue shirt and a thin necklace.

Caleb Kipnis (he/him/his)

Major: History

Minor: Political Science

Concentration: Jewish Studies

Study Abroad: Rome

Best Adjective to Describe You: Passionate

What is the best thing about being part of this program?

As a Jewish studies concentration, the best aspects of Jewish studies are its various facets, as well as the provocative questions the classes raise about the many thought-provoking ideas, such as assimilation, diaspora experience, and identity. Not only do these problems apply to other minorities, but they also reveal a lot of Jewish-specific issues. More so, they reveal a ton about the history of places and periods themselves and the minority experience around them. Furthermore, Jewish studies professors are phenomenal in terms of their openness to ideas and insight into their specific focuses within the realm of politics, history, and identity issues and topics.

What drew you to the department?

Growing up Jewish, I always had a staunch passion for being Jewish, especially in the realm of Jewish history and politics. Before Kalamazoo College, I was uncertain what my focus would be, but after taking my seminar class as well as the Intro to Jewish Traditions class with Dr. Haus, I realized I was able to use and improve my Jewish historical knowledge, as well as learn a ton of new skills that prepared me for what I want to do career wise. The Jewish studies classes are diverse and very specifically nuanced in certain topics, which helps to build an overall stronger Jewish historical knowledge.

How have you taken advantage of the flexible curriculum or experienced breadth in your education?

I have taken so many differing classes at K, from intro to documentary making to Modern Chinese history. Freshman and Sophomore years are a time of pure exploration, so make use of them. Kalamazoo College allows you to do this, so even if you have an idea and are taking specific classes, always be open to trying something you’ve been interested in but haven’t explored. I had no experience with documentary making yet ended up loving the class and making films I would’ve never thought I could make years earlier.

What is your Senior Integrated Project (SIP)?

My SIP will focus on Algerian and North African Jewry during the years up to the Vichy Regime and Vichy. For reference, the Vichy Regime was the Nazi aligned Fascist French government during World War II.

What are your career aspirations/next steps after K?

I plan to work in the field of Jewish professionalism with the goals of Jewish advocacy and outreach.

Jewish Studies News