Jewish Studies
Notre Dame is host to a thriving network of research and programming in Jewish Studies. Its faculty includes leading scholars who seek to promote expertise in the textual heritage of Judaism and in its theology and intellectual tradition, especially through the study of Hebrew, Aramaic, and other languages.
Jewish Studies at Notre Dame is dedicated to examining the Jewish contexts of the ancient Jesus movement as well as the Christian contexts that have impacted Jews and Jewish thought. It encourages critical engagement with the interreligious coproduction of Judaism and Christianity, as well as the history of Christian-Jewish polemic (the “teaching of contempt,” per Jules Isaac) and violence. It aspires to potentiate Christian self-understanding and theological reflection in dialogue with Jews, Judaism, and the Land of Israel.
Jewish Studies at Notre Dame offers courses and study opportunities in the following areas:
- Hebrew
- Aramaic
- Akkadian
- Ugaritic
- Hebrew Bible / Old Testament
- Ancient Near East
- Dead Sea Scrolls
- Rabbinics
- Liturgical Poetry
- Jewish-Christian Polemic and Dialogue
- Medieval Jewish Philosophy
- Kabbalah / Mysticism
- Modern Jewish Thought
- Contemporary Jewish Theology
- Holocaust Studies
- German Thought and Judaism
- The State of Israel and the Modern Middle East
Undergraduates can pursue study of these areas through Theology and many other departments. There are multiple avenues open to prospective graduate students with plans to pursue research in these areas at Notre Dame, including masters and doctoral programs in Theology, Early Christian Studies, the Medieval Institute, Peace Studies, History, and other departments.
Dedicated Jewish Studies funds in the Department of Theology support, among other things, the annual Liss Lecture in Judaica, the Postdoctoral Fellowship in Jewish Theology and Culture, a biennial graduate-level Jerusalem Summer Program at Notre Dame Jerusalem, and summer Hebrew language study in Israel.
Contact Prof. Tzvi Novick (novick.3@nd.edu) regarding your interest and questions.