March 2025 Newsletter
Greetings Jewish Studies Students!
We hope you had a restful, rejuvenating, and much deserved Spring Break. We’re excited to share the latest happenings, updates, and opportunities in our growing Jewish Studies community. As of today, there are officially 11 Jewish Studies majors and 24 minors!
February Recap
We’d like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of our candidate search for the Robert M. Beren Professorship in Jewish Studies. We are so grateful for all who attended the teaching demonstrations and lectures. Your engagement and feedback enriched the experience and helped guide the future of the program.
On Friday, February 28th we hosted a Pizza Pop-Up in the Jewish Studies suite, and though it wasn’t as well-attended as we had hoped, we’re always eager to improve and tailor our events to fit your needs. Please let us know what days’ work best for you so you can attend future events!
What’s Happening in Jewish Studies?
We are thrilled to introduce Dr. Samantha Cooper, the Beren Assistant Professor in Jewish Studies, who will be joining us in Fall 2025! Dr. Cooper specializes in American Jewish culture, particularly music, and will be offering a course in the Fall titled JWSH 300: Music & Jewish History. This is an incredible opportunity to explore Jewish music and its role in history, especially within the context of antisemitism. We encourage you to join her class, sign up for JWSH 490: Independent Study or complete JWSH 601: Senior Capstone with Dr. Cooper.
Enrollment for Fall 2025 is happening now! We’re excited to offer a variety of engaging courses in Jewish Studies. Check out the full list of classes, with descriptions and meeting patterns, on the Jewish Studies website here.
The Jewish Studies Learning Community will meet today, Friday, March 28th from 2-3PM in the Jewish Studies suite. If you’re a Jewish Studies major, joining the JSLC gives you the chance to earn a $500 award at the end of each semester! To qualify, simply attend two Jewish Studies events and meet with either the director of Jewish Studies or the faculty member leading the group. This semester, RB Perelmutter will be heading up the group. Don’t miss out—get involved today!
Thank you to all who came out on March 12th to celebrate Purim and Pi Day with Ladybird Diner pies and hamantaschen from KI Synagogue, baked by the wonderful Shelley Rissien. It was a great mix of tradition, food, and community spirit!
Congratulations to Hebrew student, Scott Manuel for his outstanding achievements! Scott was accepted into the GUSEGG 2025 International Summer School in Graz Seggau and awarded a scholarship for his research on Time, Temporality, and Transition in Europe and America. He’s also received a Danciger Research Award from Jewish Studies. Well done, Scott!
Kudos to Jewish Studies faculty members Vitaly Chernetsky (Woodsman), Bogi Perelmutter (Power to Yield and Other Stories), and RB Perelmutter (Yoke of Stars), for publishing or releasing books in 2024! Their accomplishments were honored by the Hall Center for the Humanities, Celebration of Books on March 5th.
Save the Dates!
Digging into Jewish Sources on Dinosaurs
April 2nd, 12PM @ KU Hillel
Join us at KU Hillel for a fascinating conversation between Rabbi Mark Glass and Dr. David Burnham of the KU Biodiversity Institute. They’ll dive into Jewish perspectives on dinosaurs and how religious texts interact with modern science. It’s sure to be a fun and thought-provoking event!
College Majors Fair @ the Kansas Union Ballroom
April 8th, Current Students – 10:00AM-2:00PM, Prospective Students – 6:00PM-8:00PM
We need your help in growing the Jewish Studies Program! Your participation will help promote the significance of Jewish Studies to others, and if you are a member of the Jewish Studies Learning Community, attending this event will count toward earning your $500 award! Please fill out the linked form to let us know your availability. Sign Up for the College Majors Fair
State of Kansas Holocaust Commemoration
April 28th, 1:00 PM @ the Topeka Civic Theater, 3028 SW 8th Ave., Topeka
Join us for this powerful event at the Topeka Civic Theatre, where Dr. Lindsay MacNeill, Historian at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, will give the keynote address. More details and student registration can be found here. If you would like to attend but need transportation, please email or talk to Tyra Kalman (tkalman@ku.edu) who has offered ride sharing.
Scenes from the Start: A Senior Capstone Art Exhibit
May 6th, 11-12PM @ Jewish Studies Suite, 4017 Wescoe Hall
Come support Rachel Kricsfeld as she presents her senior capstone exhibit, Scenes from the Start. It’s sure to be a beautiful showcase of her work!
Shelley Rissien’s Retirement Party
May 8th, 11-1PM @ Jewish Studies Suite, 4017 Wescoe Hall
Shelley has made an indelible mark on the Jewish Studies Program, and we’d love for you to join us to celebrate her incredible legacy! Formal invitations and details to come!
Jewish Studies Graduate Awards Ceremony
May 16th, 12-2PM, Centennial Room, Kansas Memorial Union
This event will honor our graduating seniors! If you are listed below, make sure you’re keeping an eye on your inbox for more details and invitations to share with your families and friends. If your name is not on the list and you plan to graduate in May, email Tyra Kalman (tkalman@ku.edu) ASAP.
Class of 2025:
Eric Fischer
David Franke
Abigail Friedland
Molly Handelman
Bree Katz
Rachel Kricsfeld
Kit Strane
Sarah Sutton
For those of you who are interested in receiving honors in Jewish Studies, please complete this form and submit it immediately. Questions? Send an email to tkalman@ku.edu.
Can you see the light at the end of the tunnel? There are six weeks left until Stop Day and as always, if you have any questions or need support, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here for you!
~ KU Jewish Studies