Jewish Studies March 2026 Newsletter

Happy Friday!

We hope everyone had a restful and rejuvenating Spring Break. We’re in the home stretch with only six weeks left in the semester and there’s much to look forward to. Let’s talk about it! 

Student Awards 

Adina Thompson is the recipient of the Harvey Bodker Opportunity Award! This honor recognizes students who pursue educational opportunities in Israel. Adina traveled to Israel in December, where she participated in the Mayanot Winter Program, a three-week Jewish learning program for college students, based in Jerusalem. Please join us in congratulating her on this well-deserved recognition. Mazel tov, Adina! We wish you the best of luck in your continued pursuit of Jewish and Israel Studies.  

This semester, the Jewish Studies Learning Community (JSLC), open to all students seeking a degree in Jewish Studies, continues to thrive as a space for connection, discussion, and collaborative learning. Majors who attend at least three Jewish Studies events per semester and one hour-long, Jewish Studies Learning Community roundtable qualify for a $500 award each semester, with the potential to be awarded $4000 over their academic career. If you haven’t declared your major in Jewish Studies, it’s never too late. Just contact Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Rami Zeedan (rzeedan@ku.edu).  

Active members of the JSLC include: 

• Emma Bowen 
• Evelyn Brand 
• Evan Goldstein 
• Kirby Harless 
• Cami Katzen 
• Nina Mcnay 
• Alex Meiners 
• Derrick Schaeffer 
• Adina Thompson 
• Alyson Weinberg 

We also look forward to highlighting student research with the Spring Danciger Research Awards in Jewish Studies. These $500 awards recognize student research on any topic in Jewish Studies. For more information, email jewishstudies@ku.edu. 

Summer and Fall Classes 

It’s almost time to enroll! Be sure to explore our upcoming course offerings for Summer and Fall 2026. We have two online courses this summer: Jews, Christians, and Muslims, & Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: An Introduction. Questions? Let us help you find a course that sparks your interest and enriches your understanding of Jewish history, culture, and religion. For more information, email Dr. Rami Zeedan (rzeedan@ku.edu) or our Program Coordinator, Tyra Kalman (tkalman@ku.edu), or talk to Jewish Studies Academic Advisor, JD Smith (jdsmith@ku.edu). We’re here to help. 

Upcoming April Events 

We have an exciting lineup of events to close out the semester, including guest lectures, cultural programs, and community gatherings.  

Chag Pesach Sameach! The Jewish Studies suite will be closed from April 2-3 and April 8-9 in observance of the holiday. We also plan to team up Hillel and host the traditional Maghrebi Jewish feast, Mimouna on Friday, April 10th in the Jewish Studies suite. Stay tuned for more details.  

Our partners in education, the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education will host their annual Yom HaShoah event on Sunday, April 12th at 1:30PM at the White Theatre on the Jewish Community Campus in Overland Park. This event will commemorate the 83rd anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and the 63rd anniversary of the dedication of the Memorial to the Six Million. As the population of first-generation Holocaust survivors dwindles, it is our honor to carry their memories forward. We encourage our students to attend this important event.  

Dr. Sam Cooper’s First Year Seminar: The Jewish American Story Through Literature, Letters, and Latkes will be attending New York pianist, Roger Peltzman’s one-person show, "Dedication," which recounts his family’s tragic history fleeing the Nazis in war-torn Europe using drama, humor, powerful imagery, and musical performances of everything from the blues to Chopin. This event will take place on April 13th, 7:30PM at the White Theatre on the Jewish Community Campus in Overland Park. You are encouraged to attend. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here. 

Our Program Coordinator, Tyra Kalman, was recently appointed to the Kansas Holocaust Commission. Join her in attending the annual Kansas Holocaust Commemoration on Monday, April 20th at 1PM at the Topeka Civic Center. The Commemoration will feature a proclamation by Kansas Governor, Laura Kelly and a presentation by Dr. Judy Jacobs, a Hungarian survivor from Budapest who experienced the Kastner Train and incarceration at Bergen-Belsen. Pre-registration is required.  

Graduate Award Ceremony 

On Friday, May 15th from 12-2PM we will host our annual Graduate Awards Ceremony, celebrating the Class of 2026. This special occasion honors the hard work, dedication, and accomplishments of our graduates as they complete their academic journeys.

Graduates include:  

• Brandon Brown (minor) 
• Morgan Campbell (minor – Fall 2025) 
• Dalton Hammond (minor) 
• Libby Herman (minor) 
• Derrick Schaefer (BA) 
• Ellie Segal (BA – Fall 2025) 
• Adina Thompson (BA) 

If your name is listed above, please keep an eye on your email for official invitations to share with your friends and families. If your name is not listed above, please email Tyra! 

Alumni Update 

Our alumni community continues to inspire us with their diverse paths and accomplishments. Jewish Studies BA and class of 2025 alum, Sarah Sutton, just graduated top of her class in Officer Candidate School for the U.S. military. Sarah was nominated for the Leadership Award, is currently serving in the Navy, and is looking forward to her commission as an Officer.  

Jewish Studies majors go on to accomplish many things. Do you know graduates of the Jewish Studies Program? If so, remind them to keep in touch! We want to hear from them.

Shabbat Shalom to those who observe!

Have a great weekend!