About Us

The Modern Jewish Studies Major, offered cooperatively through the CSU system, provides an understanding of the diversity of Jewish life over time and place as a result of the interaction of Jewish culture, history, languages, politics, and religion with other civilizations. In 2005-2006, 38 courses or course sections were offered by the Program and over 1,300 students were enrolled in Jewish Studies courses.

The Program also brings the Visiting Israeli Professor to SDSU and the San Diego Jewish Community, supports an Artist-in-Residence, houses the archives of the Jewish Historical Society of San Diego, and coordinates a number of distinguished annual lectures by scholars from around the world, including:

• Glickman-Galinson Symposium on Israel & Middle East
• Robert Siegel Lecture on Diaspora Jewry
• Wallman Lectures in Modern Torah Interpretation
• Al and Norma Cooper Lecture in Modern Jewish Politics
• Nasatir Lecture in American Jewish History
• Maurice Friedman Lecture in Modern Jewish Thought
• Baron Fund Lecture on Ethics in Education
• Dorothy Stuzane Lecture on Women and Judaism
• Dorris Lipinsky Lecture on Jewish Performing Arts