Thursday, September 22, 2011

For Graduate Students: Two Summer Schools in Jewish Studies

This is for graduate students:

I've recently received announcements for two different summer programs related to Jewish studies. I know people involved in both and both should be good programs.


1) Summer 2012 : Advanced summer school in rabbinic literature

The department of Hebrew Culture Studies of Tel Aviv University announces the establishment of a new intensive 6-week summer school in rabbinic literature. The program’s aim is to enhance textual, linguistic and philological skills for advanced students of Jewish and Religious studies.

The program is tailored for English speaking students with a high level of Rabbinic Hebrew who are interested in acquiring reading skills in Talmud and Midrash. It will provide advanced scholarly training in rabbinic literature and culture, while exposing the students to current scholarship and leading Israeli experts in the field.

The program will consist of two courses, Midrashic Hermeneutics and Mishnaic Hebrew. Both will be taught in English, each taught 4 hours, twice a week and will comprise of two credits (one of which is a language credit). Both courses will focus on reading skills and are meant to improve textual capacities essential to academic research in rabbinic studies and adjacent fields. In addition, students can choose to participate in an additional credited thematic course in the Jewish magical tradition, without additional fee.

To enhance students’ understanding of the historical contexts of the texts studied, the program will integrate visits to key locations in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, as well as to various archeological digs. During these visits, students will examine relevant literary sources in situ. Among the sites are Masada, Qumran, Beit Shearim, the Bible Museum in Jerusalem and more

This program is a unique opportunity to enjoy an enriching academic experience in English, in Israel. Its intellectual home in the department of Hebrew Culture Studies at Tel Aviv University, the single largest integrative Jewish Studies department in the world today, enables us to cover a wide range of methodologies and scholarly interests, while maintaining the highest standards of academic excellence. In addition, as an international program, students will get the chance to meet with scholars and students from around the world.

The cost: $ 2500 covering tuition, health insurance, tours and entrance to sites.

The application process will be open in January 2012. For more information, please contact the coordinator, Emilie Levy at majes@post.tau.ac.il



2) The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Katz Center are delighted to announce a new summer school in Judaic studies for students pursuing doctoral studies in all fields of Judaic studies. The summer school will be held alternately in Jerusalem and Philadelphia, beginning in the summer of 2012 in Israel (July 8–17, 2012). The 2012 session will take place in northern Israel, future seminars will be held at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Jerusalem and at the Katz Center. The school is open to all graduate students in the first three years of their studies and will offer full or partial fellowships to successful candidates for travel and living expenses depending on need. The objective of the school is to expand the academic horizons of the participants by exposing them to new approaches and new areas of study in Jewish civilization. In small seminar settings focused on specific textual readings with senior faculty and with some of the best and brightest students from North America, Europe, and Israel, we hope to create a sense of social and intellectual connection among all participants, enhancing their relationships with each other and with other fields beyond their specific areas of specialization. The summer school will also take advantage of the rich scholarly resources of both Jerusalem and Philadelphia by arranging visits to libraries, archives, museums, and other institutions of special value to the participants. The school will be jointly directed by Professor Israel Yuval of the Hebrew University and Professor David Ruderman of the University of Pennsylvania who will be joined by a team of four additional faculty and other academic guests carefully chosen to enhance the special intellectual ambiance the school hopes to foster.

Mingled identities: Rethinking the notion of identity in Jewish culture

The first summer school session will probe the meaning of Jewish identity across the sweep of Jewish history. Recent scholarship on the history of Judaism as well as the history of western religions in general has moved away from the narratives of religious conflict and separation (e.g., the “the parting of the ways”). Instead of border maintenance, scholars increasingly speak of border crossings, socio-cultural mixing, hybridity, and mingled identities when examining the histories of interaction between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Such explorations have challenged the meaning of Jewish culture itself. What elements in specific Jewish cultures can we speak of as enduring or internal, and how are these ideas themselves created and disseminated? Is it not more productive to examine Jewish cultures at their borders, at their sites of cultural contact and exchange with other cultures, rather than merely to study them in isolation in search of their essential nature?

Through an intense seminar format of reading primary texts and contexts, students will explore these questions with a seasoned faculty of distinguished scholars and teachers representing variegated fields and approaches to Jewish studies, as they emerge from close readings in original languages and open discussion.

Faculty

The faculty includes the two codirectors, Israel J. Yuval (Hebrew University; medieval Jewish history), and David B. Ruderman (University of Pennsylvania; early modern Jewish history and thought); as well as Richard I. Cohen (Hebrew University; history of modern Jewish culture); Ada Rapoport-Albert (University College London; Kabbalah, Sabbateanism and Hasidism); Isaiah Gafni (Hebrew University; history of rabbinic culture); and Marina Rustow (The Johns Hopkins University; medieval middle eastern history, interactions between Judaism and Islam).

Applying

Applications should be submitted to jewishsummerschool@huji.ac.il, and are due by November 15, 2011. Successful candidates will be notified by February 15, 2012.

Applicants should provide the following data:

1. Application form, found here. (Once you have filled out the form, please save it and submit it electronically with the other materials listed below)

2. A statement describing your intellectual interests (not more than 1 page)

3. An academic transcript

4. Two letters of recommendation from teachers and/or academic advisers

While all teaching and discussion will occur in English, a strong reading knowledge of Hebrew will be required of all participants.

Students who are accepted for 2012 may choose to apply next fall as well for the 2013 summer session in Philadelphia, as the themes and faculty will change each year.

For more information on the program and how to apply, please contact Ms. Maya Sherman at: jewishsummerschool@huji.ac.il.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Graduate Programs in Jewish Communal Work at New York University

From New York University:

Cultivate Your Career,
Transform the Jewish Community:
Graduate Programs in
Jewish Professional Leadership at NYU

Develop your leadership style and skills. Experience the vibrancy of Jewish life in New York City. Make an impact on the Jewish community and the world. New York University offers several master's and doctoral degree options to help you get there. Generous scholarships are available. Programs include:

NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development

* M.A. in Education and Jewish Studies

* Dual Degree: M.A. in Education and Jewish Studies and M.A. in Hebrew and Judaic Studies*

* Ph.D. in Education and Jewish Studies

NYU Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service

* Dual Degree: M.P.A. in Public and Nonprofit Management and Policy and M.A. in Hebrew and Judaic Studies.*

All of NYU's Jewish academic programs and resources


Wendy Paler
Assistant Director, NYU Steinhardt Graduate Programs in Education and Jewish Studies

* The Skirball Department at NYU's Graduate School of Arts and Science offers the M.A. in Hebrew and Judaic Studies.
New York University

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Global Studies Program in Egypt

Speaking the Culture of Egypt: Experiential Learning Program for Future Secondary Education Teachers
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for future teachers that begins in January 2012 with a cross-cultural workshop; a series of online lectures, readings and online discussions; and includes a six week study tour in Egypt during Summer 2012.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://www.ucis.pitt.edu/global/Egypt2012.html
In order to be considered for the program, students must:
• Be a junior and senior undergraduate student enrolled in a secondary education major or pre-education track program at one of the following institutions: Baldwin Wallace College, California University of Pennsylvania, Chatham University, Community College of Allegheny County, Mercyhurst College, Seton Hill University, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh and Youngstown State University
• Submit complete application form, transcript, resume, essay questions, and three letters of recommendation to their institutional point of contact.
• Sign a legal binding study abroad contract as required by the University of Pittsburgh
• Is a citizen or a permanent resident of the United States as required by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Submit a Medical History Report form.
• Sign a legal binding contract to ensure authenticity and to enforce participation in all program components. If a student does not fulfill the terms of the contract (unless health related with proof from medical doctor or family, emergency proof required), he/she will be removed from the program. Program components include:
o Participate in all segments of the program in their entirety:
 Lecture series and discussion
 Workshop on Language and Cultural Learning Workshop
 Six-week activities in Egypt
 Produce program deliverables: language and content area resources
 Post-trip activities at their home institutions and at the University of Pittsburgh.
• Read all assigned resources during all phases of the project.
• Pilot teaches using language resources and digital story in a classroom setting.
• Participate in presentations during lectures, symposia and workshops to other students or members of the university community as requested.
Complete all the requested evaluations during program implementation.
Program Costs
Student Responsibility:
• $1000 per student, payable to the University of Pittsburgh by January 15, 2012. (This amount may change slightly given estimated value of dollar in Egypt in 2012)
• Required health/medical evacuation insurance
• Students will want to bring at least $700 dollars for independent sightseeing excursions.
• RT transportation to University of Pittsburgh for January workshop
Costs included in the fellowship (covered by the U.S. Department of Education Fulbright Hays Program, University of Pittsburgh, or CERIS and not the student)
• Round trip international flights from Pittsburgh to Cairo
• Apartment style lodging in Cairo for six weeks
• Hotel (3 star) accommodations in Luxor and Alexandria (3 nights each city)
• Train travel Cairo/Luxor, Cairo/Alexandria
• Two meals per day
• Entrance Fees to historical and cultural sites in Cairo, Luxor and Alexandria related to the program.
• Transportation in Cairo, Luxor and Alexandria related to program (RT from apartment to classroom, visits to historical and cultural sites)
• In-country Instructors
• In-country Project Leader and chaperones.
For more information and application visit http://www.ucis.pitt.edu/global/Egypt2012.html
Elaine Linn
Assistant Director, Global Studies Center
University Center for International Studies
University of Pittsburgh
4102 WWPH
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
tel: 412 648-2113
email: EEL58@pitt.edu
fax: 412 624-4672

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

“Europe: East and West” Undergraduate Research Symposium March 2012

Have you written a research paper from a humanities, social science or business perspective focusing on the study of Western Europe or Eastern Europe, including Russia?

If so, consider presenting your work at the 2012 Undergraduate Research Symposium!

Process
 Students must submit applications with 250-300 word abstracts and full papers by January 23, 2012.
 Selected students will be notified in mid-February 2012.
 Final revised papers are due by March 19, 2012.
 Presentations will be made at the Symposium on March 30, 2012.

Sponsored by:
Center for Russian and East European Studies
European Studies Center / European Union Center of Excellence
University Center for International Studies
University of Pittsburgh

The Symposium is intended to provide advanced research experience to undergraduates and is modeled after conferences tradi-tionally held at the graduate level. A faculty selection committee determines which students qualify to present their papers at the Symposium at the University of Pittsburgh, Oakland campus. At the event, participants will make 10-15 minute presentations on their research to a panel of faculty and graduate students. Participants will receive constructive feedback on their papers. The presentations will be open to the public. Final papers must be edited to be 10-15 pages in length.

FOR MORE INFORMATION,
contact Gina Peirce at gbpeirce@pitt.edu or
visit the website at www.ucis.pitt.edu/ursymposium/
Application forms available on website.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Jewish Theological Seminary: Visiting Students Program

I’m writing to let you know about our Visiting Student program in Jewish studies, which gives undergraduate students currently enrolled at other accredited four-year colleges and universities the opportunity to study for one or two semesters at List College, the undergraduate school of The Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City.
Visiting students love spending time at List College, as they join a small community within a large city. They're able to choose from a rich selection of Judaic studies classes and reap all of the benefits of being in a dynamic urban setting, including internships and co-curricular activities. The students in your Jewish Studies program will find multiple avenues for enrichment at JTS by taking courses in classical Jewish texts, Jewish history, literature, thought, and more. They will learn from our passionate faculty, interact with List students as well as students from JTS's 4 graduate-level schools, take advantage of residence hall living, and participate in a variety of co-curricular activities. We at JTS will benefit immeasurably from their presence, and I know that you will be pleased to see them return to campus energized by their studies and Jewish identity exploration and eager to gain even more from all that you have to offer academically.
JTS is now accepting applications for the spring 2012 Visiting Student Program. Applicants must complete the Transfer Student version of the Common Application:https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/default.aspx, present a satisfactory college record, and submit a letter of approval from the dean or major adviser from the degree-granting institution. A visiting student may receive credits at his or her own institution for courses successfully completed at List College, subject to the approval of the student's own dean. Visiting students are assigned an adviser to assist with navigating registration procedures and to act as a general resource during the student's stay at List College.
Please encourage your students to take advantage of this unparalleled opportunity. The chance to spend a semester in New York in dialogue with preeminent scholars and engaged students in the field of Jewish studies will certainly enhance their college experience. The deadline for applications to our 2012 program is October 16th. Students may apply online today by clicking here: http://support.jtsa.edu/site/R?i=MWGA-FHvV_BgdQJPBbq09g.
For more information, please encourage students to visit http://support.jtsa.edu/site/R?i=Enywvh5PCw42wtns-xih-Q or to contact us at lcadmissions@jtsa.edu .
I'd be delighted to answer any questions you might have or to discuss any specific students that you think might be a good fit for any of our programs.
Thanks so much.
Sincerely,

Dr. Shuly Rubin Schwartz
Dean of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies
Associate Professor of Jewish History
Jewish Theological Seminary
3080 Broadway
New York, NY 10027-4649
212.678.8024