Jewish Studies November 2025 Recap

Dear students, staff, and faculty: 

With Thanksgiving break just around the corner, we want to extend our gratitude for the energy, curiosity, and care you bring to our small but mighty program. Whether you’re presenting research, supporting peer learning, or finding your academic path, your contributions strengthen our community. We hope the holiday offers you a well-earned chance to rest, recharge, and spend time with the people who matter most to you.

Students, as you prepare for finals, please remember that faculty office hours and academic resources remain available through the end of the term. If you need help refining a research project, a quick check-in, or a little nosh, don’t hesitate to reach out.

What’s happening in Jewish Studies? 

Our most spirited event of the year is just around the corner! The Sufganiyot Social, a highlight of the KU Jewish Studies calendar, brings students together with an outstanding group of regional professionals whose work is shaping Jewish communal life in Kansas and beyond.

This year’s guests include community builders and educators from the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education, the Kansas House of Representatives, the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City, the Kansas City Jewish Chronicle, KU Chabad, KU Hillel, and Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy. They will share their educational and professional journeys and help you explore your own path toward service learning, internships, and career opportunities.

The event will take place on Wednesday, December 3rd from 11AM-1PM in the Jewish Studies suite (4017 Wescoe). KU Catering will provide a Middle Eastern inspired lunch buffet, complemented by bagels, lox, and schmears from Olive & I Bagel Co. And of course, we’ll have plenty of sufganiyot—jelly-filled doughnuts—in celebration of the Festival of Lights.

A message from our student representative, Jewish Studies major, Adina Thompson:

Hi! I can't wait to see you at the Sufganiyot Social and hear how your semester went! I'd love to hear any feedback you have on the Jewish Studies Program, or get answers to any questions you have moving forward. I hope you have a nice and restful Thanksgiving break!

Faculty spotlight: 

Our gifted faculty continue to wow us with their accomplishments. Dr. Sam Cooper received the Vice Chancellor for Research & Friends of the Hall Center Book Publication Award in support of publishing her first book, American Jews and the Making of the New York Opera Industry, 1880-1940. The project was "praised by the Review Committee for its potential to make a significant impact in a wide range of disciplines."

Dr. Bogi Perelmutter's new book - a space opera novel titled Song of Spores - was just released by Broken Eye Books, which also published Bogi's previous short story collection, Power to Yield and Other Stories, a Locus award finalist last year. Publishers Weekly called the book "wildly inventive" and Booklist praised Bogi for how they "deftly weave intersex, trans, and other identities into this fine book that thrillingly crosses genre lines". Congratulations, Bogi, on this notable achievement.

Dr. RB Perelmutter won the prestigious 2024 World of Fantasy Award for Best Novella for their work, Yoke of Stars, another adventure into the complex world of the Birdverse! A true accomplishment and much deserved! Mazel tov, RB!

On November 14th, Dr. Omri Senderowicz presented In Defense of Fetishism: Long, Boring Meetings in a 1970s Kibbutz at the Dorothy Stein Earnst Colloquium in Jewish Studies. This highly informative and entertaining talk brought the everyday bureaucracy of the socialist kibbutzim to life, sparking delightful conversation and exploration of Jewish cultural discourse reflected in debates over refrigerator allocations, mattress lengths, and other seemingly mundane yet revealing community concerns. 

Awards for Jewish Studies Students

As the semester wraps up, students, it’s time to submit your research and essays for consideration for the Danciger Awards. Faculty, please be sure to nominate students whose work rises to the top.

The Danciger Research Award in Jewish Studies

• $500 award offered Fall and Spring semesters
• Granted to students who research and present on any topic in Jewish studies, the format can include a capstone research paper or a research poster presentation
• Must be enrolled in 300-level courses and above and conducting research as part of their course assignments
• Students are encouraged to consult their professors or research mentor to develop the nature of their work.
• Recipients are required to present their research either at the Undergraduate Research Symposium through the Center for Undergraduate Research or before the Jewish Studies Faculty Committee and students of the program.
• Candidates are nominated by faculty, or can self-nominate by emailing JewishStudies@ku.edu.
• Research is reviewed by the Jewish Studies Faculty Award Committee. 

The Danciger Essay Contest in Jewish Studies

• 1st place $500
• 2nd place $300
• 3rd place $200
• Offered in the Fall semester only
• Open to all Jewish Studies majors and minors who submit an original essay of no more than 5,000 words on any Jewish studies topic of their choice, including language, history, literature, culture, religion.
• To submit an essay for consideration, email JewishStudies@ku.edu.
• Essays are reviewed by the Jewish Studies Faculty Award Committee

We also want to remind you of the Danciger Need-Based Award. We understand that the end of the semester can be challenging—academically, emotionally, and financially—and a dwindling bank account can add undue stress during an already demanding time. If you are experiencing economic hardship, please reach out. We are here to help.

• $500-$2000 depending on need
• Awarded to Jewish Studies majors and minors
• Candidates must submit a short narrative detailing explanation of need.
• All submissions are confidential
• No deadline to apply
• Students can apply once a semester by sending an email detailing need to JewishStudies@ku.edu.
• Awards are determined by the Director of Jewish Studies

We hope you have a restful and meaningful Thanksgiving break and we will see you in December!

~KU Jewish Studies