Jewish Studies

Jewish Studies

Director

Holli G. Levitsky

Objectives

Jewish Studies provides an academic, interdisciplinary minor for students within any major who would like to examine Jewish history, culture, faith, and practice in its unity and diversity across geographic, political, historical, religious, and aesthetic boundaries and dimensions.

The Program is unique in that its mission is twofold: 1) To provide the foundation for the academic minor program; and 2) To offer regular programs and special events to the University and to the community. For example, each year the Jewish Studies Program partners with the "1939" Club, a Holocaust survivor organization, to host a community-wide Kristallnacht commemoration at LMU. In the past, the Program has hosted or co-hosted events with the Los Angeles Polish Consulate, the Los Angeles Israeli Consulate, American Jewish University, UCLA, Chapman University, California State University Northridge and Long Beach, and the Western Jewish Studies Association.

Through education and community outreach, the Program provides an opportunity to engage others directly and constructively in order to promote greater understanding and appreciation of Judaism and its relation to other faith traditions and commitments, and to act together upon such respect and understanding. In this way, the mission of the Jewish Studies Program relates to the mission and identity of LMU as a Jesuit/Marymount Catholic University in Los Angeles.

Faculty from a range of departments, schools and colleges teach courses in Jewish Studies, many of which are cross-listed.

Jewish Studies Student Learning Outcomes

Students will know:

• The nature of the Jewish religious experience

• Significant aspects of Jewish history, culture, and literature/art

• Significant developments in and implications of Jewish/Christian relations.

Students will be able to:

• Demonstrate critical reflection on significant aspects of Jewish history, culture, religion, and literature/art

• Conduct critical research and write intelligently and persuasively on issues within Judaism

• Synthesize and apply this knowledge to pursue justice locally and globally.

Students will value:

• The rich contribution of the Jewish people to history, culture, religion, and literature/art

• The importance of inter-religious dialogue

• The living vitality of Jewish faith and culture through the promotion of justice.