Welcome back to the Spring semester
Dear students, staff, faculty, friends, and families:
This week begins the Spring 2025 semester. We hope your winter break was restful and you are looking forward to your courses and campus activities. From event updates to recognition of additional Fall 2024 award winners, to upcoming funding opportunities - we have much to share with you in this edition of our newsletter.
New Program Leadership
I’m honored to be serving as the new Interim Director of the Jewish Studies Program. I’ve been in the Department of Theatre & Dance for over two decades in roles that included Professor, Chairperson, Director of Graduate Studies, and Artistic Director. I’m a specialist in theatre history. Born and raised in New York City, I worked in France for five years before coming to KU in 2002. Since 2021, I’ve been studying Jewish heritage tourism in Europe —specifically, Sephardic-themed tourism in Spain (that’s me in a selfie atop the wall of the Jewish Quarter of Segovia). There’s nothing more important to me than doing my part to ensure that Jewish Studies thrives at the University of Kansas.
Jewish Studies is Growing!
We now have ten students pursuing the BA in Jewish Studies and twenty-seven students pursuing the minor in Jewish Studies. Invite your friends to join our community! We offer a BA (major) and a minor in Jewish Studies. As an interdisciplinary study, our major and minor complements many degrees at KU, is a valuable addition to your education, and prepares you for your journey beyond undergraduate studies.
New Faculty Hire
We are also growing our faculty! Jewish Studies has launched a search for a new faculty member who will be named the Robert M. Beren Professor of Modern Jewish History. Students will be involved in this process. During the month of February, job candidates will be coming to your classes to demonstrate their teaching skills, giving talks about their research, and attending informal Q & A events. We want your feedback! Please stay turned to announcements for these events and attend all those that you can.
Update: Danciger Award Winners
Thanks to the Danciger Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City, we are proud to announce recipients of the Danciger Essay Contest in Jewish Studies:
1st place recipient Jared Evans for his essay "Mythic and Mystic Traditions: Elijah the Prophet".
2nd place recipient Charlie Johnson for his essay "Our only democratic ally? A Comparative Report on Israeli and American Democracy".
3rd place recipient Claire Schmidt for her essay "Israel and the United States: Similarities and Differences".
Upcoming Spring Awards and Fellowships
In the Spring, we will again have scholarships available for you.
The Jewish Studies Learning Community Fellowship
This program provides mentorship, financial support, and opportunities for community engagement. It is open to all students who are pursuing the B.A. in Jewish Studies. Congratulations to the Fall 2024 recipients ($500 each).
The Danciger Award for the Study of the Hebrew Language will be determined based on excellence in the Hebrew classroom. Students do not need to take additional actions to be considered. Come study Hebrew with us!
The Danciger Research Award in Jewish Studies is presented to students who research topics in Jewish studies. Interested students should be in touch with any of the Jewish Studies professors to receive mentorship and support should they be interested in submitting their research for review. Some of the previous award winners presented final papers from their Jewish Studies courses and were considered for the award. To learn more, please contact jewishstudies@ku.edu.
The David and Sharyn Katzman Award is given to a graduating senior with a BA in Jewish Studies, chosen by the faculty. This was established in 2020 to honor a Jewish Studies Major who exhibits academic excellence and is awarded during the Jewish Studies graduation recognition ceremony held in May.
The Danciger Undergraduate Service Award in Jewish Studies is given to a student chosen by the faculty who engages in service related to Jewish Studies. This award is also presented at the Jewish Studies graduation recognition ceremony in May to a graduating senior who is either a major or a minor in Jewish Studies.
The Danciger Need-based Award is awarded to Jewish Studies majors or minors who are FAFSA eligible and in need of financial assistance. If you would like to be considered for the Danciger Need-based Award you should contact jewishstudies@ku.edu. You may consult with Tyra Kalman in person as well in room 4017B Wescoe.
The Harvey Bodker Fellowship for Study Abroad in Israel was created by Mr. Harvey Bodker in honor of the memory of Rabbi Morris Margolies, senior rabbi at Congregation Beth Shalom and longtime professor of Jewish Studies at KU. This fund is used to provide direct financial support for KU degree-seeking students studying abroad in Israel in the department of Jewish Studies at the University of Kansas. Support may include, but is not limited to, travel expenses, passport fees, and visa applications. Availability is contingent on the U.S. State Department's travel advisories to Israel in accordance with KU policies regarding student safety.
Spring 2025 Courses
Check out Spring 2025 course offerings in Jewish Studies.
Spring courses are up and running. We are offering a variety of exciting topics this semester and cross-listing with partnering departments. To view our current list of course click here. In total, we have ten courses in addition to independent studies and the Jewish Studies Seminar (senior capstone). In addition to serving our Jewish Studies majors and minors, the courses we offer this semester serve an increased number of students from across campus. If your desired course is already full, please contact us for advice on the best solution.
Upcoming Events
We will kick off the semester with an Open House on Wednesday, January 29th from 9AM-11AM. Stop by the Jewish Studies suite, 4017 Wescoe, and grab some breakfast provided by Einstein Brother's Bagels, say hi to your fellow students, staff, and faculty.
Join us to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This event, hosted by KU Jewish Studies and the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education, will take place on January 27th at 6:30PM on the Edwards Campus. For more information and to pre-register please visit the event page here.
Do you want to know more about the life of Bob Dylan? Join KU Jewish Studies and Dylan scholar, Dr. Dennis Christilles from KU Theatre and Dance, for a viewing of the new Bob Dylan film "A Complete Unknown", compliments of Jewish Studies. The date and time is still to be determined, if you're interested, sign up here to learn more.
Summer Opportunity: Study Abroad in Israel
The Israel Institute is providing $1,200 in funding to undergraduate and graduate students in good standing at American universities who are interested in taking one course or more offered by a college or university in Israel. Courses can be in any subject within the humanities, law, social science, or business administration. These scholarships are ideal for students participating in study abroad or summer study programs. Credit earned at Israeli universities can be transferred to your KU transcript, with prior consultation with the Jewish Studies Program. Apply by March 6th, 2025 for Summer placement. Visit https://israelinstitute.org/program/siis/ to learn more.
Please note that international travel with funding and support from KU requires pre-approval by KU Study Abroad based on KU policies and the US State Department recommendations on safety of travel.
On behalf of everyone here in Jewish Studies, I wish you the best of luck with your coursework and we hope you enjoy your Spring classes, activities, and events. Stay safe and stay healthy and thank you for your continued support!
Sincerely,
Dr. Mechele Leon
Interim Director of the Jewish Studies Program
Professor of Theatre