Jewish studies isn’t just for those who want to go on to become clergy or even for those who are interested in prayer. But it’s a solid major for any who’s pre-law or just largely interested in studying Jewish history and practice from an academic perspective. And most (all but two) schools that made our list approach Jewish Studies from an academic lens, as opposed to one that involves prayer.
Yeshiva University
Yeshiva is a private Orthodox university located in New York City. It’s historically religious and we’ll be the first to say, it’s not for everyone. But for those who are dead set on an intensive Jewish education, this is the top in the country. The reason YU topped our list is its range of offerings. There are two separate departments devoted to different disciplines within Jewish studies: Bible, Hebrew, and Near Eastern Studies and also, Jewish Studies
Penn
UPenn’s College of Arts & Sciences is home to the school’s Jewish Studies program. The program focuses on history, culture, language, and literature from the Bible Era through present day. The program offers a minor with courses in three categories: History, literature and religion & culture. There are also concentrations, including within the History Department, a Hebrew concentration within the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, and a Judaism Concentration within the Religious Studies Department.
Jewish Theological Seminary
JTS is a private, Conservative Jewish school located in New York City. Its Albert A. List College of Jewish Studies is affiliated with Columbia and offers a joint BA with Columbia and Barnard where students from JTS pursue Liberal Arts and Sciences. Notably, the Rabbinical School and H.L. Miller Cantorial School are top choices for those interested in becoming clergy.
Columbia
Naturally, multiple schools from the Ivy League were bound to make the list. Columbia’s Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies. The Institute offers a major, as well as several concentrations. They include Bible and Rabbinics/Ancient Judaism, Medieval Judaism, Modern Judaism, Israeli Society, Gender and Judaism, Jewish Literature, and more. Columbia is also in the epicenter of one of the most vibrant cities for Jewish life in the world. There’s a reason the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel was set there. (The school is also very close to some world-class Jewish delis).
UF
The University of Florida has the largest Jewish student population of any school in the nation. And it’s Center for Jewish Studies is top-notch. Its focus is Jewish culture, history, and politics and it offers both a major and a minor. Courses include After the Holocaust, Jews in Film, Judaism, Law & Society, Migration & Ethnic Cleansing, and more.
UT Austin
Some might be surprised to see a Texas-based school on our list, but the University of Texas at Austin’s Schusterman Center for Jewish Studies is also one to note. UT also has the biggest Jewish student population in the region. Housed in the College of Liberal Arts, the Schusterman Center offers a major, a minor, and a program in Holocaust and Genocide studies.
Maryland
Maryland’s Joseph & Rebecca Meyerhoff Program and Center for Jewish Studies focuses on Jewish studies, Israel studies, religious studies, and Hebrew. It offers two majors: Jewish Studies and Religions of the Ancient Middle East. In addition, students can opt for minors in Jewish Studies, Israel Studies, Religious Studies, or Hebrew. Coursework ranges from Yiddish to Jews and Representations of Race, to Early Christianity.
Michigan
Michigan’s Jean and Samuel Frankel Center for Judaic Studies focuses on history, tradition, cultural expression, and language. There is both a major and a minor. Coursework includes Jews in the Modern World, Policing and Civil Rights, The Mediterranean, Religions of the Jews, Jewish Languages, The Origins of Nazism, Archeology and the Bible, and more.
Emory
Emory’s College of Arts and Sciences is home to its Tam Institute for Jewish Studies. The Institute offers both a major and a minor. Notably, author and historian Deborah Lipstadt is a member of the faculty. Covered topics range from history to language. Courses include Jews of Eastern Europe, Matza and Tortillas, Israel/Palestine in World Politics, American Judaisms, the Jewish Return to Germany, and more.
UCLA
UCLA’s Alan D. Leve Center for Jewish Studies focuses on Jewish culture, religion, thought, and literature. It offers a B.A. in Jewish Studies, a minor in Hebrew and Jewish Studies, and a minor in Israeli Studies. Courses include Ethnomusicology, Holocaust: History and Memory, Ancient Aramaic Dialects, Yiddish, History of Hebrew Language, and more.
When looking at where to apply to college, it’s important to hone in on a specific major or program. Ideally, this is something you’ve studied or demonstrated interest in throughout high school. You’re much more likely to outpace the competition if you position yourself as an expert in a particular area of study, as opposed to just another student who plans to go in with an undecided major. So, if you’re someone who focused on Jewish studies-related extracurriculars and academics in school, applying to some of the programs on this list is a good strategy.
Need help applying to a specific program? Call us. We’re experts at helping students match with their perfect school.