Jeffrey Paul Garcia graduated with a PhD in Hebrew and Judaic Studies in 2016
Jeffrey is an Assistant Professor of New Testament and Second Temple Literature at Nyack College in New York City
"At the doctoral level, the department offered, and advised me, to take such a wide array of courses that my training was much broader—and welcomed—than some of my colleagues received in other programs. This approach did not hinder from the focus required of the doctorate. It, in fact, served to enhance my experience and strengthen my analytical approach to texts. HJS's multi-faceted method continues to positively complement and lead my research."
Andrea Dara Cooper graduated with a PhD in Hebew and Judaic Studies, focusing in Modern Jewish Thought in 2013
Andrea is currently is an Assistant Professor for the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Leonard and Tobee Kaplan Fellow in Modern Jewish Thought and Culture
"I am grateful to the Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies at NYU for preparing me for my current position in Jewish studies and religious studies. I benefited from the intellectually enriching environment at NYU during my years as a graduate student, and I continue to appreciate the collegial and intellectual networks I gained from participating in the program. I am indebted to my advisor, Professor Wolfson, whose instruction and mentorship broadened and enriched my intellectual horizons. I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to be his student and to study in the Skirball Department. I would suggest that current students in the program try to attend a yearly meeting of the Association for Jewish Studies and the American Academy of Religion/ Society for Biblical Literature, if funding opportunities for conference participation are available. The Skirball Department supported me in presenting at my first AJS, and I am grateful to have had this opportunity."
Shira Kohn graduated with a joint PhD in History and Hebrew and Judaic Studies, focusing American Jewish History and gender in Jewish History
Shira is High School History Faculty at the Dalton School in New York City
"The Joint Program uniquely positioned me for my work. When I decided to transition into secondary education, I was able to confidently state that I had a background in global history of the modern era. When thinking about the Jewish experience, my coursework truly did introduce me to major issues and encounters Jews had with others around the world. I applied my content knowledge of Jewish and American history to the experiences of numerous communities, including Jews, in different circumstances and spaces. The impact of the incredible level of mentorship I received, and opportunities to hone my craft through TAing and becoming a course instructor, are hard to adequately describe."
Shira Klein graduated with a joint PhD in History and Hebrew and Judaic Studies, focusing in European Jewish History in 2012
Beginning August 2019 Shira will be promoted to the position of Associate Professor of History at Chapman University
"The most impactful part of my doctoral training was, without a doubt, the mentorship I received from my advisors. Their advice - on writing, research methods, teaching, and how to navigate the complex world of academia – proved indispensable in getting me where I am today."
Lara Rabinovitch graduated with a Joint PhD in Hebrew and Judaic Studies and History in 2012
Lara is currently a writer who specializes in food and immigration.
"My HJS degree was focused on research and writing, and that is something I continue to do today, albeit to slightly different audiences via newspapers, magazines, digital media, film producing or through teaching & public programing. As a graduate student I was interested in immigration and how people relate to each other and the world around them through food and cooking—whether their adopted lands or the landscapes of memory. Those are the same questions that fuel my work today with various books, media brands and organizations such as the Los Angeles Times, Saveur magazine, Google Maps, Zagat, HEEB, or the Skirball Cultural Center (in Los Angeles)."
Jessica Cooperman graduated with a Joint PhD in Hebrew and Judaic Studies and History, focusing in Modern Jewish History in 2009
Jessica is an Associate Professor for the Department of Religion Studies and Director of the Jewish Studies Program at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA
"My training prepared me exceptionally well for teaching in a liberal arts setting. My specialization is in American Jewish History, but I teach widely on modern Jewish history, American religion, religion and violence, Holocaust, Zionist thought, etc. I don't consider myself an expert on all of those topics, but my training in the joint program taught me to think effectively about the broader cultural and political forces that have shaped the modern world and I use that broad understanding of the modern West to frame discussions of Jewish, American, and European history. The joint program was challenging at times, but the engagement with non-Jewish history that it required very worthwhile. Also - I know that requirements for teaching have changed since I was at NYU, but I would advise students to take advantage of opportunities to TA or teach while at NYU. TA'ing MAP (is that still a thing?) courses taught by senior professors was incredibly valuable for learning how to structure classes and syllabi. I also taught in the Expository Writing Program and still regularly use many of the lessons I learned there as I approach my own classes - including First Year Writing, which all faculty here at Muhlenberg are expected to teach regularly."
Katja Vehlow graduated with a PhD in Hebrew and Judaic Studies, Focusing on Medieval History
Katja is a rabbinical School Student at Jewish Theological Seminary
"Until last year, I taught Jewish and Religious Studies as a tenured professor of Religious studies at the University of South Carolina, Columbia. I left my position to live with my family in NYC, to attend rabbinical school, and to continue writing. My degree was fundamental for my university position, and allowed me to teach, and publish historiographcal work, and about Jewish-affinity Christians."
Andrew Gross graduated with a PhD in Hebrew and Judaic Studies, focusing on the Hebrew Bible in 2005
Andrew is an Associate Professor and Chair for the Semetic Languages Department at the Catholic University of America
"For my current field of study and position, the HJS program prepared me through its commitment to philology and language training. The historical breadth of the program helped as well. In my past two positions, my employers hired me to cover courses on Second Temple and Early Judaism, but they also have me teaching Akkadian and Ugaritic. In terms of advice for current and prospective students, I'd say it's good to stake out areas of expertise and areas of competence. While the usefulness of the former is obvious, the usefulness of the latter will always turn up in surprising moments. I'm glad I got to experience living in NYC as a young adult."
Hwan-Jin Yi graduated with a PhD in Hebrew and Judaic Studies, focusing on Biblibal Hebrew
Hwan-Jin is a Professor of Hebrew Bible and Old Testament at Methodist Theological University in Seoul, South Korea
"My school belongs to the Korean Methodist Church. And my school has only the departmant of theology. Now I am teaching Ancient Semitic langagues including Biblical Hebrew, Qumran Hebrew, Biblical Aramaic, Ugaritic, and Syriac at my school."