Tel Aviv University (TAU) has announced a new International MA degree in Jewish Studies, a dynamic program in English offering an in-depth exploration of Jewish civilization from antiquity to the present.

Hosted within the framework of TAU’s Lester and Sally Entin Faculty of Humanities and in collaboration with TAU’s Lowy International School and the Koret Center for Jewish Civilization, the program offers a broad, interdisciplinary curriculum encompassing Biblical studies, Jewish and Semitic languages, and Jewish history as well as Jewish culture, literature, and thought. Classes are taught in English by internationally renowned scholars and are offered on TAU’s vibrant campus, with select hybrid and Zoom-based options.

A distinctive feature of the program is its academic partnership with Goethe University Frankfurt, one of Europe’s leading centers for religious studies and Jewish history, culture, and thought. Through this collaborative partnership, students can enroll in English-language courses offered by the Jewish Studies program and the religious studies program at Goethe University, further enhancing the program’s international scope.

“Through a wide range of courses on various aspects of Jewish studies, TAU’s MA program in Jewish Studies offers students the opportunity to study with leading scholars from TAU and Goethe University Frankfurt alongside a dynamic cohort of international students from Israel, Germany, and a number of other countries,” says Professor Scott Ury, Academic Director of the program. In addition to academic studies, students may enroll in intensive Hebrew language courses, participate in TAU’s Yiddish Summer Program, and take a wide range of additional courses on TAU’s campus offered in English and, for those with sufficient proficiency, in Hebrew.

TAU’s International MA in Jewish Studies provides students with a unique opportunity to engage directly with Israeli society, gaining critical insight into the historical, cultural, and political background of Israel as well as the crises currently facing the broader region. Alena R., a visiting MA Student from Goethe University, says, “Studying in Tel Aviv is a great opportunity, because it allows for multiple ways of personal and academic growth: Experiencing living Israeli and Jewish culture, learning Hebrew, attending English seminars, and getting research insights to current research by attending colloquia. The classes are diverse and interesting, and the teachers are dedicated, open, and supportive.”

The program is open to students holding a BA in the Humanities, and in certain cases BA degrees in the Social Sciences or other fields. It is well-suited for those planning to pursue doctoral studies in related fields, careers in education, journalism, or politics, or those who wish to work in non-profit or cultural organizations.

For more information about the program, admissions, and the application process, visit the Jewish Studies program website.