Modern Jewish Studies: A New Major, An Ancient Heritage

When Cal State Northridge’s first Modern Jewish Studies majors claimed their degrees at the College of Humanities’ spring 2007 commencement ceremony, they also laid claim to in-depth knowledge of a heritage that stretches more than 4,000 years into the past.

“The major’s focus is modern Jewish studies, from 1600 to the present,” said Jewish Studies Interdisciplinary Program coordinator Jody Myers, “but students can and do take courses going back to 1500 B.C., delving into biblical literature that reflects the ancient Israelites.”

Courses are not exclusive to people of the Jewish faith, said Myers. “Some divinity students come for the deeper knowledge of the subject matter that our program offers. But others are simply interested.”

At least 20 percent of those working on a minor in Jewish studies are Christian, said Myers, noting that CSUN has had a minor in the subject since 1969.The major first was offered in 2006.

Courses in the new major are taught by English, history, modern and classical languages, religious studies and sociology faculty. “Students benefit from those different perspectives,” said Myers, who has expanded the scope of Jewish studies since her arrival at CSUN in 1986.

The program has screened films of Jewish interest for students and the community, hired a visiting professor specializing in studies of the modern Mediterranean and Middle East regions, and created a class on how to teach about the Holocaust.

Committed to the “comparative approach,” Myers delighted in a recent program panel offered with the Valley Interfaith Council. The panel presented Jewish, Hindu and Catholic perspectives on the afterlife. Said Myers: “It’s the kind of interesting dynamic we explore at CSUN.”