Jewish Studies

Center for Interdisciplinary Study

The Louis Stein Minor in Jewish Studies program gives students the opportunity to explore and understand the history, culture, politics, ethics and religion of the Jewish people. Through interdisciplinary coursework and directed field study, students investigate the Jewish experience from both a contemporary and a historical perspective. The minor in Jewish Studies program offers classes exploring many areas, including:

The history of Jewish life across the globe
How traditional Jewish ethics intersect with the practice of medicine, law and business
The cultural contributions of Jewish people in America and the world

About the Minor

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Community Groups and Outreach

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Outreach

Josephine and Julius Cohen Award in Jewish Studies

The Josephine and Julius Cohen Award in Jewish Studies recognizes the outstanding achievements of students in Jewish Studies courses. The award is publicly announced annually at the College of Arts and Sciences Honors Day held in the spring. The award was established by a gift from D. Walter Cohen, DDS, (1927–2018) former Jewish Studies advisory board member, chancellor emeritus of the MCP Hahnemann University and dean emeritus of the University of Pennsylvania Dental School. The award is named for Mr. Cohen’s grandparents, immigrants to the United States who demonstrated great love and respect for learning.

Latest News

poster for confronting antisemitism through storytelling event with Star of David and blue text

Drexel Community Confronts Antisemitism by Telling Their Stories

Pennoni Honors College Dean Paula Marantz Cohen’s hope is that Confronting Antisemitism Through Storytelling, a collaborative event April 28 among Pennoni, Drexel Hillel, Jewish Studies and the College of Arts and Sciences, will spark conversations that are so often dampened by our current society. Rather than taking the form of a panel discussion or conference, the event will focus on the deeply personal, real-life stories of those who have experienced antisemitism first-hand, whether as Jews or allies.

Alina Palimaru sits at a desk in front of a computer

History Alum Alina Palimaru ’08
Works to De-Radicalize Violent Extremists

With extremism on the rise, Drexel history alumna Alina Palimaru ’08 has turned her work to addressing it. The associate research analyst at the RAND Corporation will deliver a virtual talk on the topic on Thursday, November 18. Here she discusses the importance of studying history, her current work, truth decay and her least favorite memory of Drexel, among other things.

Henry Israeli Appointed Director of Jewish Studies

Henry Israeli, from the Department of English and Philosophy, has been appointed to the position of Director of Jewish Studies, effective Fall 2021, to lead the planning and implementation of a range of initiatives to increase the visibility of the program both inside and outside the University while developing a strategic plan in collaboration with Amelia Hoover Green, PhD, Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Faculty Members	Contact	Specialization
	Henry Israeli Associate Teaching Professor of English; Director, Drexel Writing Festival; Director, Jewish Studies 5051B MacAlister Hall hpi22@drexel.edu	Modern and Contemporary Poetry
	Toni Pitock, PhD Assistant Teaching Professor of History 5022 MacAlister tfp47@drexel.edu	Atlantic World; Jewish Migration and Diaspora; Economic Culture; Trade Networks; Colonial American History

Affiliated Faculty

Rabbi Isabel de Koninck
Executive Director and Campus Rabbi, Hillel

Faculty Members	Contact	Specialization
	Bruce Kaminsky Adjunct Instructor MacAlister Hall, Suite 2018 bk46@drexel.edu
	Ilana Margolis Adjunct Instructor Academic Building, 3rd Floor im66@drexel.edu	Hebrew-language instruction
	Sharrona Pearl, PhD Associate Teaching Professor Health Sciences Building, Room 11W46 shp72@drexel.edu	Science studies, history of science and medicine, critical race, gender, and disability studies, media studies
	Jonathan Seitz, PhD Teaching Professor of History; Assistant Department Head 5024 MacAlister jwseitz@drexel.edu	History of science, Italy, Europe
	David Seltzer Adjunct Assistant Professor 5016 MacAlister Hall dss97@drexel.edu
	Fred Siegel, PhD Teaching Professor of English; Director, First-Year Writing Program 5016 MacAlister Hall siegelf@drexel.edu	Popular Theater; Dramatic Literature, Creative Non-Fiction; Freshman Writing