Latest News

Caring for our community

The Carolina Center for Jewish Studies condemns, and is deeply grieved by, the terrorist attacks by Hamas against civilians in Israel and extends heartfelt condolences to all those who have been affected. We have been reaching out to students, … Read more

Dec 4: Mediating Religion and Politics Through Holy Land Pilgrimage

UNC Anthropology Colloquium with Visiting Professor Jackie Feldman: The Israeli and Palestinian Jesus: Mediating Religion and Politics Through Holy Land Pilgrimage Dec 4, 3:35p, Alumni Bldg, Room 308 Hosted by UNC Dept. of Anthropology

Nov 13: Lay People’s Voices in Talmudic Jewish Courts

Please join us for this year’s Eli N. Evans Distinguished Lecture in Jewish Studies with Lynn Kaye, Brandeis University. November 13, 5:30pm. In-person event. UNC Sonja Haynes Stone Center, Hitchcock Room Directions & Parking in Bell Tower Deck ($1 after … Read more

A message from University leadership: A call for peaceful dialogues

November 9, 2023 Read the statement on the Chancellor’s website. A message from University leadership: A call for peaceful dialogues In a campus email, Chancellor Kevin M. Guskiewicz and Provost J. Christopher Clemens called on the Carolina community to demonstrate … Read more

Resources & Services for the Campus Community

November 3, 2023 In these stressful times, the Center wishes to re-emphasize our commitment to the campus community and ensure that students, faculty and staff have access to resources. We support the Chancellor’s Statement from last month in calling for … Read more

ENROLL NOW: Confronting Antisemitism

Now enrolling: JWST 390: Special Topics in Jewish Studies: Confronting Antisemitism. 1 credit. This course takes a broad look at antisemitism in history, our contemporary world, and at UNC. Class sessions will feature guest speakers and discussions on different aspects … Read more

Keohane Events Nov 8-9

The Keohane Professorship brings prominent faculty to serve as visiting professors at UNC and Duke for a one-year period, during which they deliver a lecture series and engage students and faculty around areas of shared interest to both institutions. For … Read more

Campus Event: War in Gaza: a Discussion of the Origins, Strategy, and Ethics

For the Carolina Community: students, faculty and staff: War in Gaza: a Discussion of the Origins, Strategy, and Ethics Navin Bapat and Jeff Spinner-Halev will explain the origins of the current conflict, assess the strategic aims of key political … Read more

Spring 24 JWST Courses

This spring, we’re again offering a wide range of Jewish studies courses that meet UNC’s general education requirements. Interested in learning more about Jewish studies? If so, consider the RELI/JWST major, and the minor in Jewish Studies and the minor … Read more

We’re Hiring: East European Jewish Studies

The Department of Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures (http://gsll.unc.edu/) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill invites applications for a tenure track Assistant or Associate Professor in East European Jewish Studies. The successful applicant will hold the … Read more

Kaplan Brauer Lecture: The Soviet Jewish Bookshelf

Our upcoming lecture explores the texts that Soviet Jews kept in their home libraries. Kaplan Brauer Lecture in Jewish Studies with Marat Grinberg, Reed College Co-sponsored by the Carolina Center for Eastern European Studies October, 16, 2023, 5:30pm, in-person … Read more

Student Excellence Awards

NEW: Student Excellence Awards in Jewish Studies Offered for the first time in academic year 2023-24, the Center’s Student Excellence Awards in Jewish Studies will recognize Carolina graduate students, and advanced undergraduates, that are doing exemplary work in a subfield … Read more

Grants: Fall 23

The Center is accepting applications for the fall 2023 grant cycle. Applications for faculty and grad student research and travel grants and grad student Jewish language instruction are due by September 27, 2023, 5:00pm. Eligibility: for Carolina faculty and … Read more

Fall 2023 Newsletter

The fall 2023 newsletter highlights our anniversary celebrations, new faculty and visiting scholars, upcoming lectures and programming, student profiles, our recent grant awards, and so much more. PDF

The ritual and functional uses of Jewish cemeteries in Poland

One of the Center’s affiliated graduate students was recently featured in UNC Research’s magazine, showcasing her Jewish studies and Holocaust studies research. Her graduate research work has been supported by the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies. Alison Curry is … Read more

Keeping stories alive: Documenting a disappearing culture through music

Grad Student Profile: Tara Jordan Keeping stories alive: Documenting a disappearing culture through music The Center, and one of its affiliated grad students, were recently featured in a university campaign magazine, showcasing the importance of student support funding received … Read more

Welcome New Faculty and Scholars

This fall, the Center welcomes five new faculty members and visiting scholars in Jewish studies. Adam Cohn joins the department of romance studies as assistant professor and JMA van der Horst Fellow in Jewish Studies. He specializes in modern Spanish … Read more

2023-2024 Events Schedule

Please join us for our upcoming community event series. Unless otherwise noted, all events are in person, will begin at 5:30pm and will be held in the UNC Sonja Haynes Stone Center. These events are free and open to … Read more

Lecture: Sept 12: Between Hebrew and Greek

Morris, Ida and Alan Heilig Lecture in Jewish Studies with Hindy Najman, Oxford University September 12, 2023, 5:30pm, in-person event. UNC Sonja Haynes Stone Center, Aud Directions & Parking in Bell Tower Deck ($1 after 5pm) Free and open to … Read more

Support services available

Students, faculty, staff, community members: Please take time to take care of yourselves and check in with your friends and neighbors. Reach out if you need help: Please know that support is available and these departments stand ready to … Read more

Huqoq Summer 2023 Findings

Archaeological dig in Galilee uncovers mosaics of Samson and commemorative inscriptions The 11th and final season of excavations in the 1,600-year-old synagogue at Huqoq reveals a panel with an inscription commemorating the donors who funded the mosaic or the … Read more

Open Enrollment: Jewish Studies Courses

Now Enrolling: Fall semester, we’re again offering a wide range of Jewish studies courses, including modern and classical Hebrew languages, and many other courses that meet UNC’s general education requirements. Plus, a unique course offered by a visiting professor… … Read more

ANTH 290: Israel, Palestine, Holy Land: Tourism Imaginaries and Practices

Open Registration: Don’t miss this one-time opportunity to take a unique class with a visiting professor! ANTH 290: Israel, Palestine, Holy Land: Tourism Imaginaries and Practices. Check out more Summer 23 and Fall 23 JWST course offerings, … Read more

Center Spotlight in Magazine

The Carolina Center for Jewish Studies is highlighted in the current edition of the Arts and Science magazine, complete with a profile story on Patricia Rosenmeyer, faculty director. This edition of the magazine focuses on the Campaign for Carolina and … Read more

Summer/Fall JWST Courses

This summer and next semester, we’re again offering a wide range of Jewish studies courses, including our Capstone (focusing on Jewish languages), modern and classical Hebrew languages, and many other courses that meet UNC’s general education requirements.In fact, there are … Read more

Matching Gift doubles your GiveUNC donation

Thank YOU to everyone that supported us on GiveUNC Day! Thank YOU! We met our Give UNC goal! Your support celebrates our 20th anniversary and honors the late Eli Evans. And private support makes everything single thing we do possible … Read more

Jocelyn Burney: Dean’s Dissertation Award

2023 Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Award Recipients Each year, The Graduate School recognizes four doctoral candidates or recent doctoral graduates for creating exceptional dissertations in each of the following fields: biological and life sciences; humanities and fine arts; mathematics, physical … Read more

Alumni Career Roundtable

On March 1st, the Center hosted a career roundtable for the grad student network. The hybrid event hosted about 20 in-person and another eight alumni and current students online. Panelists: Alumni Naomi Graber (MUSC), associate professor, University of Georgia … Read more

TEP Fellows Meeting

The Tau Epsilon Phi Graduate Student Fellowship in Jewish Studies provides incoming students with two full years of funding and additional programming in support of their doctoral work in a subfield of Jewish studies. The program allows the Center and … Read more

Interns 2022-23

At the 20th anniversary celebration, this year’s interns and grad student assistant had the opportunity to meet Eric Sklut, advisory board member and supporter of the internship program, and Jonathan Fassberg, chair of the Center’s advisory board. L-R: Intern … Read more

Anniversary Week

We’re 20! Our 20th anniversary community celebration, on March 2nd, was an amazing evening with a fusion of world music and jazz blended with Jewish Hasidic sounds. Many thanks to Daniel Zamir and Gadi Lehavi, and to the 200 … Read more

Profile Story: Jodi Magness

The Center is thrilled to co-sponsor the dig in Huqoq and honored to have Prof. Jodi Magness as an affiliated faculty member. Learn more about Jodi and the dig in this wonderful profile story. Photo: J. Haberman

You’re Invited: 20th Anniversary

Please help us celebrate our 20th anniversary at our March 2nd reception and jazz performance! Schedule: 6:00-6:45pm: Reception, Hill Hall, Rotunda 7:00-8:15pm: Performance, Hill Hall, Moeser Aud Morris, Ida and Alan Heilig Event in Jewish Studies In person event, free … Read more

Celebrating 20 Years of Jewish Studies the Carolina Way

Together, We’ve Created a Thriving Center Celebrating 20 Years of Jewish Studies the Carolina Way In spring 2003, Carolina leadership and faculty established the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies with an interdisciplinary approach to academics and research along with … Read more

Spring Newsletter: 20th Anniversary Edition

The spring 2023 newsletter highlights our 20 years of programming, undergraduate and graduate academics and faculty and student research. This edition also includes student, faculty and alumni news. PDF.

Faculty Profile: Jillian Hinderliter

Faculty Profile: Jillian Hinderliter Interviewed by Ellen Perleberg, graduate student assistant Tell me a little about your current book project. My current book project is about American Jewish women active in the feminist health movement from the 1960s … Read more

A Tar Heel in the Knesset

We are pleased to co-sponsor this event hosted by UNC Hillel: A TAR HEEL IN THE KNESSET: MAKING SENSE OF ISRAEL’S TUMULTUOUS PARLIAMENT WITH ALON TAL THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16 AT 7:00PM Hitchcock Room, Stone Center, 150 South Road, UNC-Chapel Hill As the seventh American citizen … Read more

Grad Student: Career Roundtable

March 1, 2022, 4:30pm, Hyde Hall Incubator Room. Hybrid Event. The Center’s grad student network event for 2022-23 will feature a panel of our alumni, and our recently hired faculty member, in a variety of academic and academic-adjacent positions to … Read more

Mizrahim and Zionism: A History

We hope you will join us: Tuesday, February 7, 2023. 5:30pm, Hyde Hall University Room [in-person event]. Free and open to the public. Parking: Swain Lot. (A limited number of reserved/free parking spaces are available in Swain lot; otherwise night … Read more

Annual Holocaust Remembrance Lecture

Annual Holocaust Remembrance Day Lecture Jewish Perceptions of Justice Kaplan-Brauer Lecture in Jewish Studies with Dr. Laura Jockusch, Brandeis University. January 30, 5:30pm. In-person lecture, free and open to the public. UNC Stone Center, Multi-Purpose Room Parking: Bell Tower Deck. … Read more

Emerging Scholars: No Fairy Tale: German Zionism and the Politics of Literature

Emerging Scholars Lecture with Joshua Shelly, Carolina-Duke German Program. Remote event via Zoom. Please NOTE: early start time [3:30pm]. This remote event requires registration on Eventbrite in order to receive the Zoom link. Registration is now open: https://nofairytale.eventbrite.com Co-sponsored by … Read more

Capstone Course: The Holocaust, Memory and Historical Writing

Carolina students: Don’t miss this chance to take one of our most popular courses! This year’s Capstone course is offered in spring 2023 semester. A Capstone Course is required for the RELI/JWST major, the JWST minor and the JWST grad … Read more

Commitment

Since our founding in 2003, the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies has created programming, developed courses, organized conferences, and hosted community events to address the challenges described in this pledge. We take seriously our responsibility to promote a better understanding … Read more

Grants for Grad Students

Thanks to generous private support, the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies is able to offer several different types of grants supporting graduate student research and travel, including: dissertation completion fellowships for 2023-24 – deadline January 23, 2023 Jewish language instruction … Read more

Now Showing: Fall Lectures

If you missed any of our lectures and events this fall semester, they are all posted on our YouTube channel for viewing. September’s Evans Lecture with alumna Naomi Graber October’s special event with poet Ronny Someck November’s Margolis Lecture with … Read more

Recruiting: Faculty Position in Medieval/Early Modern Jewish History

Assistant Professor in Medieval/Early Modern Jewish History The Department of History at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, invites applications for a tenure-track position as assistant professor in medieval/early modern Jewish history. The successful applicant will also hold the … Read more

Emerging Scholar Talk: Nov 14 on Zoom

Join us online for our next Emerging Scholars talk: “Breathing out violence:” Fake News and other dangerous speech in Ancient Israel Emerging Scholars Lecture with Emily Branton, department of religious studies Monday, November 14, 2022, 5:30pm Remote event … Read more

Southern Jews and the Lost Cause: Confederate Memory and Jewish Identity

Join us for this in-person lecture: Southern Jews and the Lost Cause: Confederate Memory and Jewish Identity Sylvia and Irving Margolis Lecture on the Jewish Experience in the American South with David Weinfeld, Rowan University. Monday, November 7, 2022, 5:30pm, … Read more

Academic Programs

Carolina Students: Learn more about the Jewish Studies academic program offerings! The Jewish studies academic program offers courses in departments across the humanities and social sciences, meeting a wide-range of General Education requirements. Students also can choose Modern Hebrew … Read more

JWST Course Offerings: Spring 2023

Next semester, we’re again offering a wide range of Jewish studies courses, including our Capstone Course (this year focusing on Holocaust studies), modern and classical Hebrew language courses, and the one-credit Confronting Antisemitism course. Many other courses meet UNC’s general … Read more

Uhlman Fellow: Jocelyn Burney

We are pleased to announce that Jocelyn Burney is our inaugural Uhlman Fellow in Jewish Studies Public Humanities. The Carolina Center for Jewish Studies, in collaboration with Carolina Public Humanities (CPH), established the Uhlman Fellowship in Jewish Studies Public Humanities … Read more

Recruiting: Faculty Position in Jewish Studies/Romance Studies

Faculty Recruitment The Department of Romance Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (http://romancestudies.unc.edu) invites applications for a full-time, tenure-stream position: tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor with tenure in to begin July 1, 2023. We encourage applications … Read more

Special Event: Ronny Someck

To view the recording of this talk, visit our YouTube Channel. Ronny Someck wrote two poems after his visit to Chapel Hill, and spoke about his visit on Shimon Parnas’s “Ha’oneg Hashvi’i Israeli Galaz radio program. … Read more

NOW Virtual: Evans Lecture: Sept 19

This is now a remote/Zoom event. Remote-only event. If you missed this event, you can view it on our YouTube channel. Eli N. Evans Distinguished Lecture in Jewish Studies with Dr. Naomi Graber, University of Georgia. The … Read more

Fall Grant Cycle

The Center is accepting applications for the fall 2022 grant cycle. Applications for faculty and grad student research and travel grants and grad student Jewish language instruction are due by September 19, 2022, 5:00pm. Eligibility: for Carolina faculty and … Read more

Co-sponsoring: Prospects for Peace: The Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process

The Center is pleased to co-sponsor this event hosted by UNC Hillel. Prospects for Peace: The Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process Tuesday, September 13th, 7:30pm – 8:45pm FedEx Global Education Center Dennis Ross and Ghaith al-Omari: Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process Join UNC … Read more

Fall 2022 Newsletter

The fall 2022 newsletter honors our founding chair Eli N. Evans, and includes student, faculty and alumni news, as well as an update on our grants program and upcoming events. Fall 2022 PDF

Grad Student Profile: Morgan Morales

I received the Spies Family Summer Stipend for summer 2022 from the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies. The Spies Family Stipend allows me to finally begin archival work on my dissertation, “A Matter of Life and Death: Jewish Women Who … Read more

Alumna Profile: Tine Rassalle

Alumna Profile: Tine Rassalle In 2014, Tine Rassalle came to Carolina as the Center’s very first TEP Fellow, and, after more than seven years of intense study and research, she recently graduated and landed her dream job at the … Read more

Director’s Message: Fall 2022

Director’s Message: A Welcoming Community I am delighted to introduce myself as the director of the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies. My colleague Ruth von Bernuth has done a fantastic job as director for the past nine years, and … Read more

Happy FDOC Fall 2022

Welcome [back] to campus everyone. Wishing you a fantastic fall semester! If you’re still looking for some GenEd credits, or an interesting course to fill out your schedule, check out the JWST courses! Details

Still Enrolling: JWST fall 2022

Carolina students: There’s still time to enroll in a JWST course for fall 2022…. there’s a wide range of topics to choose from, and the courses meet many GenEd requirements. Theses are just a few of the JWST courses that … Read more

Apply Now: Uhlman Fellowship in Jewish Studies Public Humanities

Carolina Center for Jewish Studies, in collaboration with Carolina Public Humanities (CPH), is pleased to announce the establishment of a fellowship for graduate students in Jewish studies: Uhlman Fellowship in Jewish Studies Public Humanities. The Uhlman Fellowship program is made … Read more

Internships for Carolina Undergrads and Grad Students

The Carolina Center for Jewish Studies is accepting applications for paid, undergraduate and graduate student internships for the 2022-2023 academic year. The Carolina Center for Jewish Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill unites the general public, … Read more

In Memoriam: Eli N. Evans

We are so sad to learn that Eli N. Evans,’58 founding chair of the advisory board for the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies, passed away on July 26, 2022. Evans led the advisory board for much of the Center’s … Read more

Huqoq: Tenth Season of Excavations

Media release for summer 2022 Huqoq. The Center is pleased to help sponsor this project and work with our faculty member, Jodi Magness, and to provide grants for undergraduates participating in this study abroad program. Excavations by UNC-Chapel Hill … Read more

Welcome Professor Rosenmeyer

Today is Professor Patricia Rosenmeyer’s first day as faculty director of the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies. She holds the Seymour & Carol Levin Distinguished Term Professorship while serving as our director. Please welcome her to our Center and make … Read more

Thank You Professor von Bernuth

Today is Professor Ruth von Bernuth’s final day as faculty director of the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies. Thanks Ruth, for your leadership and service these past nine years, and best wishes for your next chapter at Carolina and the … Read more

The return to Huqoq

The return to Huqoq: our students at a festival for Shavuot. After a two-year break, the dig at Huqoq is active again. The Center is pleased to co-sponsor the dig and provide travel grants to several students so they can … Read more

Spring 2022 Newsletter

The spring 2022 special edition newsletter introduced our incoming faculty director, Patricia Rosenmeyer, and featured Ruth von Bernuth’s final director’s message. She concludes her term as faculty director on June 30th. Spring newsletter PDF Director’s Message: A privilege … Read more

Join Us: Events 2022-2023

Events Schedule 2022-2023: Please save the dates and join us next year for our upcoming events program, including a special performance on March 2nd to celebrate the Center’s 20th anniversary. Event details will be posted in late summer. Sept … Read more

Class of 2022

Congratulations to the class of 2022! Especially to those with the RELI/JWST major, a minor in Jewish studies or Hebrew, or a graduate certificate in Jewish studies… and all the students that have participated in our courses and programming. … Read more

DTH Article on Dr. Rosenmeyer

Learn more about our incoming faculty director and the Center’s plans for the future in this Daily Tar Heel article: Patricia Rosenmeyer named director for the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies By Keerthana Gotur May 3, 2022 | 12:51pm EDT … Read more

Incoming Director: Patricia Rosenmeyer

A Message from the Dean’s Office, College of Arts and Sciences I am pleased to share that Professor Patricia Rosenmeyer will be the next director of the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies, effective July 1. Rosenmeyer will hold the Seymour … Read more

NEW EVENT: Yiddish Culture and Jewish History in Ukraine

Reflections in a Time of War: Yiddish Culture and Jewish History in Ukraine The community is invited to join this online event featuring a panel of speakers, including musician Daniel Kahn. This event will be remote, via Zoom. Registration required … Read more

JWST Course Offerings: Summer & Fall 2022

Jewish Studies [JWST] courses and other courses with Jewish studies content offered in Maymester, summer I & II and fall 2022 include Religion, Culture and Politics in Israel, Germans, Jews, and the History of Anti-Semitism, and Introduction to Early Judaism. … Read more

UNC Giving Day: Mar 29th

Carolina’s fifth Giving Day is Tuesday, March 29, 2022. As a friend of the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies, we hope you will consider making your gift to support the Center during this one-day event. Please learn more about the … Read more

Mar 30 & 31: The Objects that Remain

The Center is pleased to co-sponsor the 2022 McLester Colloquium, hosted by the Department of Religious Studies. Laura Levitt, Temple University will give the McLester talk on March 30th and a classroom/community seminar on March 31st. March 30, 3:30pm, McLester … Read more

Mar 29: filmmaker Avner Faingulernt

We are pleased to co-sponsor film screenings and discussions with filmmaker Avner Faingulernt. Events are in-person at UNC and Duke University. Free and open to the public, no registration required. Schedule of events at Carolina: Tuesday, March 29, 12:30-1:45pm: … Read more

March 21: Too Long, Too Foreign. . . Too Jewish

Join us March 21st, 7pm, for this year’s Sylvia and Irving Margolis Lecture on the Jewish Experience Too Long, Too Foreign. . . Too Jewish: Antisemitism, upward mobility, and name changing in New York City, 1917-1945 with Kirsten Fermaglich, … Read more

Dissertation Fellow: 2022-23

Congratulations to Emily Branton, graduate student in the Department of Religious Studies, who was awarded the Center’s Dissertation Completion Fellowship for next academic year. Emily’s dissertation is titled: “Words that Stand: Efficacious Speech in Ancient Israel” and her advisor is … Read more

Spring Events

We are hosting and co-sponsoring a variety of events in the upcoming weeks, including in-person, hybrid and remote options. We are also inviting the public to join some classes this semester when we have a visiting speaker. There is something … Read more

Study Abroad in Huqoq: Summer 2022

Join us on the June 2022 excavations at Huqoq in Israel Since 2011, excavations directed by Professor Jodi Magness (Religious Studies) at the ancient village of Huqoq in Israel’s Galilee have been bringing to light a monumental, Late Roman … Read more

Annual Holocaust Remembrance Day Event : How Healers Became Killers

Our first lecture of the spring semester is our Annual Holocaust Remembrance Day Event January 24, 2022 at 5:30 pm, remote/Zoom, free and open to the public. How Healers Became Killers: German Physicians and the Nazi ‘Euthanasia’ Program with … Read more

Accepting Nominations: Grad Student Recruitment Fellowship/Grants

The Carolina Center for Jewish Studies is pleased to offer fellowships and top up grants for incoming graduate students who have academic and research interests related to the field of Jewish Studies. For graduate students planning to start at Carolina … Read more

Accepting Applications: Dissertation Fellowship

The Center is now accepting applications for the 2022-23 Dissertation Completion Fellowship Deadline: January 19, 2022 at 5:00pm This non-service fellowship supports a promising Carolina graduate student working in Jewish Studies in the advanced stages of his or her career … Read more

Video: Programs for Undergrads

The Center’s Lori and Eric Sklut Undergraduate Intern in Jewish Studies has created a short video for other undergraduates interested in academic courses and major/minors, the Center’s events program, Study Abroad opportunities, and grants program. View on our YouTube … Read more

Recruiting Three Faculty Positions in Jewish Studies

Three Faculty Positions in Jewish Studies The College of Arts and Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is excited to announce three faculty recruitments to promote a deeper understanding of Jewish history, culture and thought. The … Read more

Assistant Professor in Women’s and Gender Studies

Assistant Professor in Women’s and Gender Studies The Department of Women’s and Gender Studies (WGST) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) seeks to appoint, beginning Fall of academic year 2022-23, a tenure-track Assistant Professor whose … Read more

Assistant Professor in East European Studies

Assistant Professor in East European Studies The Department of Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (http://gsll.unc.edu/) invites applications for a full-time tenure track position: Assistant Professor in East European Jewish … Read more

Assistant Professor in Medieval/Early Modern Jewish History

Assistant Professor in Medieval/Early Modern Jewish History The Department of History at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) (https://history.unc.edu), invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Medieval/Early Modern Jewish History. Applicants who work on Jewish … Read more

Nov 9 in-person event: The Nun in the Synagogue

The Nun in the Synagogue: Judeocentric Catholicism in Israel with Emma Polyakov, Assistant Professor, Religious and Theological Studies, Merrimack College November 9, 2021, 5:30pm, Dey Hall, Toy Lounge [fourth floor]. In person event, no registration required. In the … Read more

Course Offerings: Spring 2022

Jewish Studies [JWST] courses and other courses with Jewish studies content offered in spring 2022 include the gateway course, Introduction to Jewish Studies, both modern Hebrew and classical Hebrew courses, and the one-credit Confronting Antisemitism course. Plus, many other topics … Read more

Radical Stillness: Reading Velocity in Yiddish Anti-Fascist Poetics

Radical Stillness: Reading Velocity in Yiddish Anti-Fascist Poetics Morris, Ida and Alan Heilig Lecture with Anna Elena Torres, University of Chicago. Remote Lecture: Oct 28, 5:30pm. Registration on Eventbrite is required; tickets on sale Oct 18, 6pm: https://radicalstillness.eventbrite.com … Read more

Emerging Scholars: A Curious Daughter

Emerging Scholars: Lea Greenberg Oct 18, 5:30pm Remote via Zoom. Sign up on Eventbrite: https://curiousdaughter.eventbrite.com The Zoom link will be sent via Eventbrite to registered guests a couple days prior to the lecture, and re-sent again the afternoon of the … Read more

Wellness Day: Oct 12, 2021

In a message to campus yesterday, the Chancellor announced that Oct. 12th will be a Wellness Day for students and classes are canceled. Today and throughout the week, Carolina is offering a variety of resources to support the campus community. … Read more

Study Abroad: UNC Archaeological Excavation in Israel

Study Abroad: UNC Archaeological Excavation in Israel The Huqoq Excavation Project, led by the Center’s Professor Jodi Magness, has made exciting discoveries for several dig seasons, garnering considerable media attention. Learn more. We are very excited to get back into … Read more

Emerging Scholars: Contemporary Yiddish Performance and Jewish Futures

Emerging Scholars Event Remote event on Zoom. Registration required on our Eventbrite site: https://contemporaryyiddish.eventbrite.com The Zoom link will be sent to registered guests a couple days prior to the lecture. Contemporary Yiddish Performance and Jewish Futures My work examines … Read more

Grants for Jewish Language Instruction

Jewish language instruction grants (award amounts: $200-750) Deadline: October 11, 2021 at 5:00pm Graduate students taking Jewish language courses/workshops outside of Carolina are encouraged to apply for a stipend to offset costs. Funding is limited and preference will go to … Read more

A Message from the Chancellor: Confronting Antisemitism

A Message from the Chancellor: Confronting Antisemitism in our World Dear Carolina Community, The recent observance of the High Holy Days by our Jewish community gave me an opportunity to reflect on the history of antisemitism both in our … Read more

Antisemitism Courses, Programming, and Services

Please check out the following programs, course offerings and resources offered by the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies, the College of Arts and Sciences and the University: JWST 390: Confronting Antisemitism – this undergraduate course will be offered again … Read more

Save the Dates: Upcoming Events

We hope you will join us at our upcoming fall 2021 events, starting with our September 1st online/remote lecture with Liora Halperin. Registration is required for online events in order to receive the Zoom link. See our full schedule of … Read more

Happy FDOC

Happy first day of class and best wishes for the fall 2021 semester! We’re so excited to see everyone again… please keep connected on social media or join our email lists for updates on JWST classes, our online and in-person … Read more

Fall 2021 Newsletter

Our fall 2021 newsletter is now available, featuring career exploration for graduate students, key points from the Center’s formal review, our plans for the return to campus, and faculty and student updates. If you’d like to join our mailing list … Read more

Now Hiring: Interns [Undergrad and Grad Students]

Internships for Carolina Undergrads and Grad Students The Carolina Center for Jewish Studies is accepting applications for paid, undergraduate and graduate student internships for the 2021-2022 academic year. Established in 2003, the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies at … Read more

Welcome to Carolina

This semester, the Center welcomes two new graduate students to Carolina, recruited with the help of Top Up grants from the Center: Ariadne Tsoulouhas in the department of religious studies and Emily McDonnell in the department of American studies. Also, … Read more

Career Planning for Grad Students

Exploring Options: Career Planning The Center’s affiliated graduate students have been very successful in gaining coveted positions after they complete their Ph.D. programs. Many go on to hold tenure-track faculty positions at peer institutions, while others leave Carolina for … Read more

Jodi Magness: Jerusalem Interview

The Center’s Jodi Magness was recently interviewed on WCHL regarding her upcoming book on Jerusalem. Jodi Magness, Kenan Distinguished Professor for Teaching Excellence in Early Judaism at UNC Chapel Hill, talks about her upcoming book on Jerusalem from ancient times … Read more

We’re Hiring: Admin Assistant

We’re hiring: Join our small but mighty team! The Center is recruiting for a 20-hour per week admin assistant / accounting tech. Details: https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/195485 Established in 2003, the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies at the University of North Carolina at … Read more

JWST 697: Utopia, Diaspora and Other Jewish Futures in Eastern Europe

Check out the Jewish Studies courses offered in fall 2021, including: Archaeology of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls, Jewish Belongings: Material Culture of the Jewish Experience, and the Jewish Studies Capstone Course, plus numerous classical Hebrew and modern Hebrew … Read more

Commitment Statement

May 2021: In light of current events, the Center has updated and re-committed to the following pledge. Since our founding in 2003, the Center has created student programming and offered dozens of new classes, as well as hosted many community … Read more

Congratulations Class of 2021

So proud of all our graduating students…. including those who have earned the BA in religious studies/Jewish studies, a minor in Jewish studies or Hebrew, and all the many students who have participated in JWST courses and programming. We … Read more

Congratulations to our Ph.D. Graduates

We wish to congratulate our 2020-2021 PhD. graduates! This semester, Robin Buller successfully defended her dissertation “Sephardi Immigrants in Paris: Navigating Jewish Community, Culture, and Citizenship, 1918-1945”, Lea Greenberg defended her dissertation “Curious Daughters: Language, Literacy, and Jewish Female Desire … Read more

Fall 2021 JWST Course Offerings

Check out the Jewish Studies courses offered in fall 2021, including: Archaeology of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls, Jewish Belongings: Material Culture of the Jewish Experience, and the Jewish Studies Capstone Course, plus numerous classical Hebrew and modern Hebrew … Read more

Summer Session I: HEBR 101

This Summer I, take JWST/HEBR 101 Elementary Modern Hebrew for your language requirement! Get introduced to the basics of modern Hebrew structure and aspects of modern Israeli culture. REMOTE SYNC.

Summer Session I: JWST 103

Students: looking to fulfill some GE requirements this summer? Check out JWST 103: Introduction to the Hebrew Bible with Miguel Vargas. Summer Session 1, remote instruction. This course introduces students to the various books of the Hebrew Bible and to … Read more

Video: Roundtable with Center Directors

Many thanks to all the graduate students who joined us for our recent online roundtable discussion on the current job market with various Jewish Studies Center Directors. Our event for grad students featured several Center directors who gave career advice … Read more

Truman Scholar

Junior Samuel Zahn has been selected as a 2021 Truman Scholar. A history and political science double major, Zahn has experience with civil rights advocacy and public service. His interest in addressing the educational imbalance that exists among every group … Read more

NC German Studies Seminars: Challenging Conversations event

On Friday, March 26th 2021, the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies co-sponsored an event hosted by the NC German Studies Seminars. The event, “On Numbers and Feelings: Antisemitism in Germany Today,” featured Stefanie Schüler-Springorum, professor and the director of the … Read more

Upcoming event with campus Hillel

The Center is please to co-sponsor Hillel’s upcoming event: Talk with author, speaker, & activist Abby Stein with UNC Hillel A talk with author, speaker, and activist Abby Stein: Abby Stein is a Jewish educator, author, speaker, and activist. She … Read more

Thank You! Giving Day 2021

Carolina’s Giving Day was Tuesday, March 30, 2021. Many thanks to David Kaplan ’93, a current member of the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies Advisory Board, for making the challenges for the Center. David supports the scholarly pursuit of Jewish … Read more

NEW CHALLENGE: Giving Day

Carolina’s Giving Day is today! Our initial challenge – 10 gifts to the Center – was achieved before noon so now we have an updated challenge for you! If 20 donors make a gift to support the Center on … Read more

Maymester: Beyond Hostilities Remote Class

This class is now offered as a remote/synchronous course for Maymester: JWST 425 Beyond Hostilities: Israeli-Palestinian Exchanges and Collaborations in Cinema, Literature and Music. With Yaron Shemer, associate professor, department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.

Spring Newsletter

Our spring 2021 newsletter is now available, featuring fellowship and speaking opportunities for graduate students, undergraduates exploring digital archives and the Center’s/College’s Jewish studies conference publications. If you’d like to join our mailing list to receive email or hard copies … Read more

TOMORROW: Giving Day

Carolina’s Giving Day is Tuesday, March 30, 2021. As a friend of the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies, we hope you will consider making your gift to support the Center during this one-day event. And, if you do, your gift … Read more

Grad Students Meet Dr. Pianko

On Wednesday March 24, UNC Jewish studies graduate students had the chance to virtually meet and have a conversation with Dr. Noam Pianko, the current president of the Association for Jewish Studies and the Samuel N. Stroum Chair of Jewish … Read more

Video: Grad Student Support

Private support for our graduate students makes a tremendous impact on all they accomplish… starting with recruitment grants that bring talented students to Carolina’s campus, to ongoing research and travel grants that allow them to access archives and attend conferences, … Read more

Providing Support When It’s Needed the Most

Since 2012-2013, the Center has offered one Carolina graduate student a yearlong fellowship to support their dissertation research and writing. The fellowship allows the students to focus entirely on their dissertation, which improves the quality of the work and also … Read more

Video: Yehuda Halevi…

Many thanks to everyone that joined us for our recent lecture “Yehuda Halevi, Zionism, and Mediterranean Currents in Israeli Music” with Michael Figueroa on March 15th! If you missed it, the presentation is now available to view on our Vimeo … Read more

Giving Day: March 30

UPDATE: The initial challenge of 10 gifts was achieved before 12 noon and our generous donor has increased the challenge to: 20 gifts on Giving Day and he will make a $20,000 gift. Carolina’s Giving Day is Tuesday, March … Read more

In Memoriam: Seymour Levin

Since becoming director of the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies, I have greatly enjoyed meeting our extensive network of alumni and community members. But one meeting that really stands out for me is the afternoon I spent, in October 2018, … Read more

Dissertation Fellow 2021-2022

Congratulations to Miguel Vargas, graduate student in the department of religious studies, who was awarded the Center’s Dissertation Fellowship for next academic year. Miguel’s dissertation examines the history, historical consciousness and culture of a little-known Jewish community in Egypt by means … Read more

Video: The Jewish Community of Selma, Alabama

Many thanks to everyone that joined us for our recent Margolis lecture “Deep South Home: The Jewish Community of Selma, Alabama” with Amy K. Milligan, Ph.D on March 1st! If you missed it, the presentation is now available to view … Read more

Registration Open: Yehuda Halevi, Zionism and Israeli Music

Yehuda Halevi, Zionism, and Mediterranean Currents in Israeli Music March 15 @ 5:30 pm This event is free, open to the public, and will be held via Zoom. Pre-registration is required, please visit Eventbrite to sign up. The Zoom link … Read more

Video: Grad Student Roundtable

Thinking about graduate studies in a Jewish studies field at Carolina? Already here and looking to meet other UNC graduate students and faculty? Wondering how to get funding for your research initiatives? Interested in meeting leading national and international experts … Read more

Video: Ancient Synagogue

Many thanks to everyone that joined us for our recent event: “Ancient Judaism Online: Exploring a 3D Model of the Ancient Beth Alpha Synagogue” on February 10th! If you missed it, the presentation is now available to view on our … Read more

Registration open: Deep South Home: The Jewish Community of Selma, Alabama

Sylvia and Irving Margolis Lecture on the Jewish Experience in the American South 2021 Deep South Home: The Jewish Community of Selma, Alabama With only four active members living in their city, it would be easy to overlook the only … Read more

Halperin-Schütz Undergraduate Essay Award

Carolina undergraduate students are encouraged to apply: Halperin-Schütz Undergraduate Essay Award Deadline for 2021: entries due by Feb. 22 to Prof. David Lambert (dalambe@email.unc.edu) Named in honor of David J. Halperin (Rabbinic Judaism) and John Howard Schütz (New Testament), former faculty … Read more

Pre-Registration Open: Ancient Judaism Online

This event is free, open to the public, and will be held via Zoom. Pre-registration is required, please sign up on Eventbrite. Ancient Judaism Online: Exploring a 3D Model of the Ancient Beth Alpha Synagogue February 10, 2021, 5:30pm, … Read more

Video: Holocaust Remembrance Day Event

Many thanks to everyone that joined us for the Holocaust Remembrance Event “The Holocaust, Jewish History and Memory: New Directions in Research” on January 27! If you missed it, the presentation is now available to view on our Vimeo site … Read more

Grants for Undergraduate Students

Thanks to generous private support, the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies is able to offer several grants supporting undergraduate student research and travel. There are two types of grants available: UNC study abroad grants, and research and travel grants Eligibility: … Read more

Grants for Carolina Grad Students

Thanks to generous private support, the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies is offering several different types of grants supporting graduate student research and travel. These grants are for Carolina grad students working in Jewish studies. There are several types of … Read more

Faculty Grants Program 2021

Thanks to generous private support, the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies is able to offer grants for faculty research and course development. Faculty may apply to more than one grant simultaneously. There are two categories of grants: course development / … Read more

Campus Y

The Carolina Center for Jewish Studies is condemning the racist and antisemitic messaging associated with the recent break-in at the Campus Y building. News of this hostile action was received during the first class session of this semester’s Confronting Antisemitism … Read more

Accepting nominations for Graduate Student Recruitment Top-Up Grants

Graduate Student Recruitment Top-Up Grants Spring 2021 applications for Academic Year 2021-2022 Application Deadline: 5:00 p.m. on January 21, 2021 Thanks to private support, the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies is offering two top-up stipends for graduate student recruitment for … Read more

Now Enrolling: JWST 390: Confronting Antisemitism

There’s still time to enroll in Carolina’s one-credit course that explores antisemitism past and present. The course welcomes a new speaker and topic each week and drew high praise from students when it was first offered last year. JWST 390: … Read more

Annual Holocaust Remembrance Day event

Our annual Holocaust Remembrance Day event will feature faculty and graduate students at Carolina. The Holocaust, Jewish History and Memory: New Directions in Research Speakers include Karen Auerbach, associate professor and Ambassador Stuart E. Eizenstat Scholar in Jewish History, department … Read more

David Lambert on “The Idea of Scripture” (Podcast)

David Lambert on “The Idea of Scripture” (Podcast) Prof. David Lambert was recently featured on The Biggest Questions, a podcast produced by the University of Chicago Divinity School. In the podcast interview, Prof. Lambert discusses his current research on the … Read more

Class Spotlight: Material Jewish Culture online exhibit

Students enrolled in JWST 480/FOLK 481: Jewish Belonging/s: The Material Culture of Jewish Experience normally work on a final group project that becomes an exhibit at the Center’s office in Pettigrew Hall. This fall semester, the class worked with a … Read more

Spring 2021 JWST: History and Culture of Ancient Israel

Spring 2021 JWST Course Offering: History and Culture of Ancient Israel with Joseph Lam. See our full list of JWST courses. RELI 109: History and Culture of Ancient Israel. An examination extending from Hebrew origins to the Babylonian exile … Read more

Spring 2021 JWST: Israeli Cinema: Gender, Nation, and Ethnicity

Spring 2021 JWST Course Offering: Israeli Cinema: Gender, Nation, and Ethnicity with Yaron Shemer. See our full list of JWST courses. ASIA/JWST/PWAD 235: Israeli Cinema: Gender, Nation, and Ethnicity. This course is designed for students of Middle Eastern Studies, … Read more

Spring 2021 JWST: Germans, Jews and Antisemitism

Spring 2021 JWST Course Offering: Germans, Jews and Antisemitism with Adi Nester. See our full list of JWST courses. GERM 56: Germans, Jews, Antisemitism. First-year Seminar. This course seeks to explore the historically difficult position of minorities in the modern … Read more

Spring 2021 JWST Course Offerings

More than 20 Jewish Studies courses are offered in spring 2021 including: Confronting Antisemitism, Israeli Cinema, Ancient Synagogues, From the Bible to Broadway: Jewish History to Modern Times, Ancient Biblical Interpretation, Popular and Pious: Early Modern Jewish Literature, Traditions in … Read more

Video Posted: Building a Transnational Sephardi Network

Many thanks to everyone that joined us for Robin Buller’s lecture “Building a Transnational Sephardi Network out of Interwar Paris” on November 16th! If you missed it, the presentation is now available to view on our Vimeo site and our … Read more

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