Program in Judaic Studies

Judaic Studies Newsletter - Summer 2007 Lecture schedule for the Carl & Dorothy Bennett Center for Judaic Studies Endowment establishes Bettie and Samuel Roberts lecture series and course

From the Program Chair and Director of the Carl and Dorothy Bennett Center for Judaic Studies

The undergraduate Judaic Studies Program at Fairfield University is now in its 14th year. The number and quality of our course offerings; the interdisciplinary group of faculty teaching in the program; the many lectures and special events sponsored by the Carl and Dorothy Bennett Center for Judaic Studies; and the Judaica collection of books, magazines, tapes, and DVDs in Fairfield's DiMenna-Nyselius Library continue to grow. Student interest in our courses remains high as does University attendance at such annual events as the Jewish New Year get together, Passover seder, and Holocaust remembrance service, all of which are co-sponsored by Judaic Studies, Campus Ministry, and KADIMA, Fairfield University's undergraduate Jewish students' organization.

The Carl and Dorothy Bennett Center for Judaic Studies, which adjoins my office, features a television with VCR/DVD players, a small library, a small seminar table, and comfortable chairs. It is where Hebrew classes are taught, review sessions frequently take place, KADIMA members hold regular meetings, and students watch films and tapes of campus lectures required in Judaic Studies classes or simply, of interest to them.

Program description:
Judaism is a fundamental study for all who wish to understand the roots of western civilization. The oldest monotheistic faith, it continues as a vital tradition itself and is the foundation for Christianity and Islam. In addition, the history of the Jewish people is a rich tapestry that extends almost 4,000 years in time and throughout most of the world. The major objective of Fairfield University's interdisciplinary undergraduate program in Judaic Studies is to provide a variety of courses that will deepen students' knowledge and understanding of Jewish faith, history, and culture. It seeks to integrate Judaic Studies into the curriculum of the College of Arts and Sciences and to offer programs and special events of interest to the University community and to audiences drawn from the Bridgeport/Fairfield region. An academic minor in Judaic Studies has been offered since the spring of 1996.

Our courses range from introductory classes to advanced seminars, and are currently taught by thirteen faculty members in the departments of Religious Studies, English, History, Modern Languages and Literature, and Visual and Performing Arts.

Upcoming events and announcements

Thanks for logging on to our web site! Should you have further questions about Judaic Studies at Fairfield, feel free to contact me by phone at (203) 254-4000 ext. 2065 or e-mail at eumansky@mail.fairfield.edu.

Ellen M. Umansky, Ph.D.
Carl and Dorothy Bennett Professor of Judaic Studies