With classes centering on humor, gender and sexuality in Judaism, Ohio University's new Jewish Studies certificate program will come into its own Winter Quarter. -
the History Department and University Advancement said Rabbi Danielle Leshaw, executive director at Hillel, the Center for Jewish Life on campus.
Although the history department had the skeleton in place, the grant allows for the development of a more prominent program with the new hire, Goda said.
Jarrod Tanny, the postdoctoral fellow, said the program integrates multiple disciplines in the College of Arts and Sciences in an attempt to educate students about Jewish history, literature and culture.
Some classes include Gender and Sexuality in Judaism, taught by Leshaw, and another of Tanny's classes, Jewish Humor and History: from Sholem Aleichem to Seinfeld. Tanny said the course will explore the impact of Jewish humor on the American and Soviet cultures. - Tanny said. Humor has always been part of Jewish culture and has even been used as a coping mechanism in difficult times like The Holocaust.
Leshaw and Tanny said the benefits of getting a Jewish Studies certificate are numerous.
The more information a student has about various religions and cultures
the better they are equipped to move through different communities and professional experiences
Leshaw said.
Receiving a Jewish Studies Certificate demonstrates the breadth of the student
Tanny said.-
political science or history
it is very useful.-
it is a good entry point into any field.
There are an estimated 800 Jewish students on OU's campus.-
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