Find out what our former students are doing after graduating from the program.
“I chose to attend Indiana University, in large part, because of the Jewish Studies program. It was a decision based on concrete factors--the large number of majors, the breadth and prestige of the Jewish Studies faculty, and the unparalleled funding available to attract top students to the program. However, after visiting campus and meeting with Carolyn Lipson-Walker, it was also a decision based on intangible factors--the coziness of Goodbody Hall, the warmth and familiarity I saw between faculty and staff, and the seemingly endless opportunities that I would have. All of those factors came to fruition, as I had the opportunity to study the an incredibly wide range of academic topics within Jewish studies, to attend extra-curricular JS lectures, discussions, films, plays, and musical performances, and to build meaningful relationships with staff, faculty, and fellow undergraduate and graduate students.”
– Sarah Wilensky, Jewish Studies, Religious Studies, Political Science/Economics B.A., 2011; Staff Assistant to Senator Amy Klobuchar, Washington, D.C. (2011-2012); Columbia University Law School (Fall 2012)
"I came to IU specifically for the renowned Borns Jewish Studies Program and I have not regretted my decision for a single moment. The advisors, faculty, and staff of the Borns JSP have been nothing but helpful and supportive my entire college career. The class options are tremendous and interesting. My best friends from IU were Jewish Studies majors and I have formed great relationships with Jewish Studies alumni. I even got my first job from connecting with IU Jewish Studies alumni! My professors have taken the time to get to know students. I have been to many professors' houses for dinner. The Borns JSP is really a family and they have fostered a supporting community in the heart of Indiana unlike anything I have ever seen on another campus."
— Emily Berman, Jewish Studies and Political Science B.A., 2010; Midwest Political Director for AIPAC
"I have to say that the faculty is amazing and teach very interesting courses and actually care about their students. They value the education that they are giving to students. I would encourage anyone interested in Jewish Studies to go through the program at Indiana University."
— Brad Ashba, 2010 JS certificate graduation; currently pursuing master's in Jewish Studies and certificate in Jewish education through Gratz College
"I have had a very positive experience in the Jewish Studies Program at IU. The professors make an effort to work with students one-on-one, always willing to lend advice and help with matters both inside and outside of the classroom. Each Jewish Studies course that I have taken has stimulated my thinking greatly. Both the faculty and staff members have gone out of their way to help me and other students."
— Lauren Jacobson, Jewish Studies B.A., 2010; Development Coordinator for the Chicago Jewish Day School
“While I had experience with the Jewish Studies faculty because of my pursuit of Religious Studies, I joined the Jewish Studies Program community late in my college experience and I wish I would've joined sooner! The community is so supportive and so close. I worked with Dr. Levene and Dr. Harrill in Religious Studies courses and they were certainly two of the best professors I have encountered at IU. I also worked with Dr. Magid and Dr. Imhoff on my honors thesis and their wealth of knowledge, coupled with their desire to help me accomplish the daunting task of writing a thesis was truly amazing. I recommend the Jewish Studies Program to anyone who wants to improve their critical thinking and who wants to investigate the complicated idea of identity, using Jews as a case study - I am being purposely broad because I think everyone could benefit from a Jewish Studies class. While this pursuit of study seems specific, it's so far-reaching and all-encompassing.”
--Hannah Cohen, Religious Studies B.A; Jewish Studies certificate, August, 2011; Development Associate with Empowered Women International through Americorps
"The Borns Jewish Studies Program is rightly known as the best program of its kind. The faculty are all leaders in their field, the advisor is incredibly knowledgeable and supportive, and the program itself is flexible enough to sustain a variety of student interests. I am honored to have been a student in the program and feel confident that a degree in Jewish Studies will serve me well in the future."
— Aren Wilson-Wright, Jewish Studies, Religious Studies, and Mathematics B.A., 2010; Doctoral student and Jacob Javits Scholar in Hebrew Studies at University of Texas
"Becoming a JS major was the best decision I ever made during my college career. It gave me the opportunity to form a connection with professors, advisors, and students in a much more personal atmosphere than any other major I could have chosen. It also helped me to realize that I enjoy learning about Judaism and that keeping Judaism a constant part of my life is a meaningful and necessary experience for me now and in the future. The experiences I’ve had, the friendships I’ve made, and the meaning of Judaism in my life have all been a direct result of the Borns JSP."
— Rabbi Elizabeth Wood, B.A., May 2004. Elizabeth is Associate Rabbi, Reform Temple of Forest Hills, New York.
"I had three requirements for the perfect university: a top-notch music school, a topnotch JSP, and a vibrant Jewish community. Coming to IU is probably the best decision I ever made and my JS classes were the highlight of my day throughout my four years at IU."
— Philip Ohriner, School of Music B.S. and Outside Field in Jewish Studies, May 2002; Assistant Rabbi, Congregation Beth David, Saratoga, California
"The Jewish Studies Program at IU has been such an amazing experience for me. I have been able to take classes in such a wide variety of subjects and work with some of the most intelligent professors. I have learned so much here and had a really great time doing it. I feel fully prepared by my education here to begin graduate school at JTS."
— Danielle Zuber, B.A. in Jewish Studies and minor in Hebrew, 2007; Master's degree student at the Davidson School for Jewish Education at The Jewish Theological Seminary
"Jewish Studies is a great addition to other studies at IU and it can add a nice liberal arts focus for Business students. The religious studies and history components have important ethical and international business elements."
— David Fliesher, Jewish Studies certificate; Kelley School of Business major, 2007
"The Jewish Studies Program here at IU has been a great way for me to break from my science course load and pursue something completely different that was of interest to me. The courses were all very stimulating and every Jewish Studies course I have taken was well taught. Jewish Studies has really helped me learn about my heritage and has made me a more well-rounded student."
— Leslie Abrams, Jewish Studies certificate, Biology major, 2007; medical student at IU
"My Jewish Studies courses have given me a great foundation for life: I have learned how to translate the Hebrew Bible and have been challenged in studying Jewish history."
— Paul Helms, certificate in Jewish Studies, 2007; ministry intern at Zionsville, Indiana church; graduate student at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Boston)
"I really loved the flexibility of the program. I know many people who earned the Jewish Studies major or certificate and each of us focused on something different. The funds available for scholarships in Jewish Studies are unmatched in any other department or program."
— Jorie Slodki, certificate in Jewish Studies and minor in Yiddish Studies, 2007; Master's degree student at University of Wisconsin in Theatre Research focusing on working with Israeli teens to explore conflicts between different Jewish cultures in Israel
"The Borns JSP gave me the tools to be confident and successful in the Jewish professional world."
— Emily Walsh, Certificate, May 2004; completed M.A. in Jewish communal service at Hebrew Union College after serving as the JCSC Hillel Fellow at Washington University for 2 years; Wexner Fellow; Assistant Director for Education for Youth and Family at B'nai Jeshurun Congregation in New York City.
"I was a student in the highly acclaimed Kelley School of Business here at IU. While my business education was outstanding, the environment that I was surrounded with in Business could not compete with that of the Borns JSP. I was able to develop wonderful relationships with not only brilliant, hardworking, and fun students, but with faculty members. Professors and staff members within this program have a genuine interest in the success and lives of their students. The knowledge that I gained throughout all of my JS classes helped create a well-rounded education."
— Michelle Steiman, Certificate, May 2005
"After attending a private Jewish day school for 12 years, IU offered me the opportunity to get a Jewish education on a higher level. The professors were incredible."
— Jonathan Azulay, B.A., May 2004
"My work at IU focuses on both Christianity and Judaism in the first several centuries of this era, a time when both traditions were growing and changing. In particular, I am working on a project that explores how Jews and Christians thought about and represented angels, in both texts and art. Even though I study Judaism in antiquity, some of the most provocative and productive conversations I’ve had during my time here at IU have been with scholars of Judaism in the modern period, conversations that happen because of the multi-department, multidiscipline character of the Borns JSP. I’ve had a chance to practice my teaching skills because of the JSP: when there was a need for a beginning biblical Hebrew teacher, the program took a chance and hired me. The students who have gone through my classes have been bright and impressive in the range of subjects and projects they are pursuing"
— Ellen Muehlberger, Ph.D. 2008 in Religious Studies completing a doctoral minor in Jewish Studies; Assistant Professor, University of Michigan
"My interest in graduate study began during my undergraduate years at the University of Michigan. I took a class in Yiddish literature taught by a visiting professor. But I began to wonder why there was no course in Jewish American literature. And so for the past eight years I have been reading and writing about Jewish American literature, specifically the history of its invention. Graduate school at IU has for me been a laboratory where I have experimented with new modes of thought and critical expression."
— Jeremy Shere, Ph.D. in English with doctoral minor in Jewish Studies; writer and producer
"Thanks to my doctoral studies in the Department of History and the Borns JSP, I have had a rare opportunity to take outstanding Jewish history, literature, and philosophy courses which I thoroughly enjoy. I am very happy that, as an IU graduate with a doctoral minor in JS, I can expand and deepen my knowledge in Jewish subjects well beyond the bounds of history."
— Jolanta Mickute, graduate student in Modern Jewish History; doctoral minor in Jewish Studies.
