Jewish Studies

Major Related
Resources

Jewish Studies Program
Resource Center
Goodbody Hall 308

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Career Resource
Library
625 North Jordan Avenue
Phone: 855-0576
Career Development Center
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625 North Jordan Avenue
Phone: (812)855-0576

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Description of Major

The Jewish Studies Program, the largest undergraduate program of its kind in the United States, offers one of the richest programs in Jewish Studies in America and reflects the full range and many dimensions of the Jewish experience. Every year, over 50 courses in all aspects of Jewish culture - in ancient Judaism, Yiddish and East European Jewish culture, Jewish culture in Muslim countries, Hebrew language and literature, and Holocaust studies, among many other areas of inquiry - are taught by highly accomplished faculty from eleven departments. Approaching Jewish culture from a variety of different disciplinary prespectives - anthropology, history, literature, linguistics, philosophy, political science and religious studies - our faculty members are distinguished both by cutting-edge scholarship and commitment to providing students with an outstanding education. Students will learn to understand the long history of the Jewish people, its connection over millennia to diverse cultures, and the formative influences of Jews on world civilization. In acquiring such knowledge, students will relate Jewish thought and tradition to the surrounding world and will enrich their understanding of world societies and cultures. Reflecting different approaches to studying Jewish life and culture, majors choose to concentrate in either language and literature, history and society, or religion and thought. Our students are the centerpiece of our program and we make special efforts to provide them with the kinds of educational opportunities they need and deserve: significant scholarship support (including three scholarships for incoming freshmen); expert academic counseling and mentoring; an active student association; a vibrant academic environment, which provides constant intellectual stimulation; and a rich menu of social programs and lectures by world-renowned scholars, cultural figures and artists. To pursue Jewish Studies at IU, in short, is to be part of a comprehensive and unusually caring program of studies, carefully built over three decades, which encourages students - both Jewish and non-Jewish - to engage in the study of a rich, complicated and variegated civilization.

Skills & Knowledge Developed in this Field of Study

Knowledge of Jewish history and tradition; knowledge of modern Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew, and/or Yiddish; ability to appreciate other perspectives; ability to think critically, read carefully and analyze a variety of texts and cultural situations; ability to weigh and evaluate values.

Minors and Second Majors that Expand Career Options with this Major

Anthropology, business, English, Hebrew, history, international studies, music, political science, psychology, religious studies, sociology, Yiddish.

Career Options

Careers Specific to the Bachelor's Degree

Jewish education, rabbi, minister, cantor, Jewish communal service, academic career in Jewish Studies. Jewish communal service is a fast-growing field which includes work in all Jewish organizational life - federations, family services, Hillel/college services, Israel organizations, Jewish media, synagogue administration, Jewish Community Centers, and policy organizations.

Other Career Possibilities with a Bachelor's Degree

The B.A. degree will allow students to obtain entry level positions in Jewish community work. Students are hired as Jewish educators and teachers, and by communal organizations such as Jewish community centers, Jewish Federations, community relations councils, Hillels, Jewish family services, synagogues, political action groups, and Israel organizations. The Jewish Studies major is open to students from all backgrounds. Many Jewish Studies majors go on to careers that are not specifically related to their studies - they are lawyers, doctors, business professionals, and teachers.

Careers that Normally Require a Graduate Degree

Rabbi, cantor, university or college professor, community or organizational executive. It is advisable for any student to pursue a graduate degree in order to promote his/her career advancement. We encourage students to investigate the growing number of graduate programs that offer master's degrees in Jewish communal service and education.

Employment Opportunities

Job Outlook

Excellent. Graduates easily find related jobs. Immediately after graduating some Jewish Studies majors enter cantorial and rabbinical schools, and graduate programs in Jewish communal service and Jewish education, and academic programs in Jewish Studies. However, students are encouraged to work for a year or two before returning to school. Graduates work as JCSC Hillel Fellows and as program directors for Hillels; as assistant regional directors for youth organizations and assistant directors for camps; for AIPAC; as family educators and youth directors for synagogues and Jewish Community Centers; and participate in post-graduate programs like Project Otzma in Israel and social service programs like Avodah: The Jewish Service Corps. The Wexner Foundation has described Indiana University's Jewish Studies Program as "a hothouse of Jewish involvement... one of a handful of universities and programs that have consistently produced individuals who are attracted to the Jewish professions."

Salary Information

Starting salaries with the B.A. degree range from $24,000 to $33,000 depending upon geographical location and position.

Potential Career Growth

Extremely high, depending upon further graduate work and advancement. Jewish studies graduates who move up the ranks of Jewish federations and communal organizations, who are rabbis, or directors of Jewish schools can earn up to $100,000 or more in annual salary.

Placement Statistics for IU Graduates with this Major

The Jewish Studies Program maintains a list of alumni and their current positions and contact information for our current students.

High School Preparation

Indiana University admissions requirements.

Special Opportunities

Outstanding graduates have received the prestigious Wexner Fellowship, Dorot Fellowship, and FEREP award. Throughout their IU careers, Jewish Studies majors are eligible to apply for conference funding to attend conference related professional and academically to Jewish Studies.

Noted Alumni

Alumni include many congregational rabbis, ministers, lawyers, doctors, business professionals, professionals for Jewish federations, Hillels, and Jewish Community Centers. Rabbi Debra Reed Blank teaches liturgy at The Jewish Theological Seminary. Laura Kepes Linder is the Executive Director of the Jewish Foundation of Memphis. Kevin Zeldin is Campaign Director for the New Haven Jewish Federation. Beth Levy is Assistant Vice President of the Campaign for the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago. Jennifer Zwilling is the Regional Youth Director of the Jewish Community Centers of Greater Boston. Alumni are assistant directors and program directors of Hillels throughout the country; educators and teachers at Jewish day schools.