Program Details

Under the aegis of the Hebrew University’s Rothberg International School (RIS) and the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Institute for Jewish Studies, this two-year Master’s in Jewish Studies program provides in-depth knowledge of Jewish history, language, literature, culture and philosophy. Students enjoy an intimate learning environment, with small classes taught in English by leading experts in the field.

The flexible nature of the program, which includes a large number of elective credits, allows students to design a program of study best suited to their specific interests within the field of Jewish studies. In addition, the program provides students with a solid foundation in Modern Hebrew. Students with a high enough level of Modern Hebrew proficiency may enroll in courses taught in Hebrew and immerse themselves in a Hebrew-speaking environment, alongside their Israeli peers.

The curriculum is divided into two main periods: ancient to early medieval, and late medieval to modern. Courses cover such topics as Second Temple Judaism, the Bible in the eyes of Jews, Christians and Muslims, the works of Maimonides, Jewish mysticism, Zionism, and the Holocaust.

Students benefit from Hebrew University’s extensive academic resources, such as the National Library of Israel, located on the Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram.

Career & Networking 

Graduates of the program are well positioned for careers in academia, secondary education, religious and community leadership, tourism, archiving and museum-related work. Many of our alumni continue on to advanced academic degrees (mostly PhDs), in Israel and abroad.

For additional information, please visit the program’s Career & Alumni page.

Teaching Faculty

Courses in the MA program are taught by world-class experts in a range of disciplines, including history, languages, philosophy and religious studies. The head of the program, Dr. Yakir Paz, specializes in Hellenistic Judaism, Roman and Rabbinic law, Rabbinic biblical commentaries, theological polemics in Antiquity, Jews and Christians in the Sasanian Empire and Syriac literature.

Faculty of Humanities

The Faculty of Humanities at Hebrew University is committed to shedding light on civilizations past and present as revealed through history, language, literature, religion, philosophy, music, art and material culture. The numerous prizes and grants received by the academic staff – including Israel Prizes and ERC grants – attest to the high quality of research and teaching for which the faculty is known. 

The MA in Jewish Studies is offered in conjunction with the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Institute for Jewish Studies, a research hub since 1924. The Mandel Institute is responsible for overseeing all teaching departments and research centers devoted to the pursuit of Jewish studies at Hebrew University. It is affiliated with over 20 smaller research institutes, including the Orion Center for the Study of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Steven Spielberg Jewish Film Archive, the Vidal Sassoon International Center for the Study of Antisemitism, the Franz Rosenzweig Minerva Research Center for the Study of German-Jewish Cultural History, Thought and Literature, and the Jewish Music Research Center.

This program is run collaboratively with Hebrew University’s Rothberg International School (RIS). Over 2,000 students from 90 countries worldwide convene in Jerusalem each year to participate in RIS programs, ranging from intensive language courses to short-term courses, internships, study abroad, and full-fledged MA degree programs offered in English. RIS’ innovative programming, diverse community, and rich student life offer an unforgettable, transformative experience for students of all backgrounds and academic pursuits.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an internationally accredited university with a minimum 3.2 average (B). They must also demonstrate English proficiency through a TOEFL exam score of 80 or above, or a minimum IELTS score of 6.

Late admissions: April 1 - August 31, 2022

The upcoming program is scheduled to begin in October, 2022.

For detailed information on admission requirements, based on the country where you completed your undergraduate studies, please click here.

Tuition & Scholarships

Tuition is US$6,000 for each of the two years of study ($12,000 total).

For additional information, please visit our Tuition Costs & Fees page.

We offer a variety of scholarships, including an early admission scholarship. More information can be found on our Scholarships & Financial Aid page.

Further Information

Academic Inquiries: Dr. Yakir Paz, Program Head: yakir.paz@mail.huji.ac.il

 Administrative Inquiries: RIS Division of Graduate Studies: gradmiss@savion.huji.ac.il

Program Website

 

 

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