Courses

Course Catalog

Spring 2025 Courses (PDF)

Summer 2025 (PDF)

HARRY FISCHEL SCHOOL FOR HIGHER JEWISH STUDIES AT BERNARD REVEL GRADUATE SCHOOL OF JEWISH STUDIES

Revel is offering an online summer program this year.

Apply online here: .

Course registration will be done online. Please go to: BR Student Resources. Scroll down and click: Instructions for Web Registration.

Classes for credit are open to qualified graduate and advanced undergraduate students in Jewish Studies and related fields at and other academic institutions. (Appropriate documents must be filed in the Office of the Dean, Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies). Students at may take these courses toward fulfilling degree requirements. Students from other institutions may take the courses as transient students for possible transfer credit at their home institution. Qualified individuals who do not fit into these categories may register with permission of the Dean.

*All entries are subject to updates

SCHEDULE OF COURSES

Courses that are starred (*) do not require Hebrew 

9:00am-10:40am Dr. Nadav S. Berman

*JPH 6865 Jewish Philosophies of Love  (CRN 60106)

Judaism is often viewed as the “Religion of Law”, and this notion is allegedly stemming from a contrast with Christianity as the “Religion of Love”. In this course we will challenge this image of Judaism, by considering its philosophies of love. We start by conceptualizing three elemental forms of love, and harness them to discuss key texts in Jewish tradition that deal with the philosophy of love.

11:00am-12:40am Dr. Jay Berkovitz

*JHI 6745 Topics in Jewish History: European Jewry in the Throes of Change: Community, Religion, and Family in the Early Modern Era  (CRN 60103)

This course explores the relationship between religion, politics, and family during a period of dynamic social, cultural, and legal transformation. It focuses on Jewish reinterpretations of medieval religious and legal traditions, while also examining how Jewish communities navigated tensions with general society. The course critically analyzes changes in family law, with emphasis on inheritance, guardianship, marital property, and the evolving status of women. Sources include communal records, judicial proceedings, wills, rabbinic responsa, memoirs, and letters. Students will gain a nuanced understanding of the challenges posed by acculturation, religious and secular tensions, political transformation, and the interplay between Jewish and broader cultures.

6:00pm-7:40pm Dr. Aaron Koller

BIB 6212 Genesis: The Creation of the World  (CRN 60099)

A close reading of Genesis 1-3 in conjunction with rabbinic, medieval and modern commentaries, focusing on the meaning of the text and the use of important grammatical tools. Biblical creation and cosmic history will be explored in its ancient Near Eastern context as well as the foundational role of cosmogonies in society.

Note: Students who entered the program without Hebrew proficiency need to have completed BIB 5202 to take this course.

7:50pm-9:30pm Dr. Joseph Angel

*JHI 6233 DEad Sea Scrolls  (CRN 60102)

Reading of selected Hebrew and Aramaic texts from the Qumran library. The course will provide students with a deep understanding of the philological, exegetical and historical issues raised by the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the archaeological excavation of the site of Qumran. Students will be trained in the use of the scrolls for research on the history of Judaism.

All classes will meet on ’s Zoom platform.

For further information contact:
Office of the Dean
Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies

500 West 185th Street, Furst Hall Third Floor
New York, NY 10033-3201
Email:reveladmissions@yu.edu

*All entries are subject to updates

Fall 2024 Courses (PDF)