spotlight

3 JS faculty members honored with endowed chairs

Sep. 30, 2026—Vanderbilt has awarded endowed chairs to three members of the Jewish Studies Department: Ari Joskowicz, Ph.D., Winkelried Family Chair in Jewish Studies Shaul Kelner, Ph.D., Edmond and Marielle Safra Chair in Jewish Studies Allison Schachter, Ph.D., Mary Jane Werthan Chair in Jewish Studies Prof. Joskowicz formerly held the Eugene Greener Jr. Chair in Jewish Studies....

Shaul Kelner as Finalist for Sami Rohr Prize

May. 13, 2026—Shaul Kelner is a finalist for the Sami Rohr Prize for his work “A Cold War Exodus: How American Activists Mobilized to Free Soviet Jews” Check out the Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature here.

Jewish Studies Essay Contest 2026

Mar. 31, 2026—It’s time for any currently enrolled students to submit your best work on any topic in Jewish Religion, History, or Culture and win a prize! The paper must have been written at Vanderbilt for a university course or requirement during the 2025-2026 academic year. Entries must be sent electronically to: jessyca.malone-george@vanderbilt.edu with the subject “Contest...

Jewish Studies Essay Contest 2025

Jan. 24, 2025—

Ari Joskowicz honored for excellence in research for his book, Rain of Ash: Roma, Jews, and the Holocaust

Aug. 26, 2024—

Allison Schachter, professor of Jewish studies, receives the Chancellor’s Award for Research for her book Women Writing Jewish Modernity, 1919–1939.

Aug. 25, 2023—

Mazalit Haim named Dean’s Distinguished Teaching Fellow

May. 23, 2023—

Three people in a panel speaking in front of crowd

Jewish Studies co-hosts “Confronting Hate: Antisemitism and Racism” roundtable discussion

Apr. 14, 2023—