Welcome to the Interdisciplinary Program in Jewish Studies at UK. Our top-notch faculty are excited to meet and work with you! If you are interested in exploring the minor or signing up for a class this semester, feel free to reach out to Director and Zantker Professor, Dr. Janice Fernheimer. We regularly offer courses in Hebrew, Yiddish, and Ladino languages; Holocaust history, memory, and representation; Jewish culture, history, and civilization.
Anyone can minor in Jewish Studies, and anyone who officially declares, pursues, and makes good progress toward the minor is eligible to apply to become a Jewish Hertiage Fund for Excellence Scholar (next deadline to apply is September 1, 2021). Among other mentoring and benefits, our selected JHFE Scholars receive $4000 a year in scholarship funds.
Want to learn more about Jewish heritage in Kentucky? Check out the Jewish Kentucky Oral History Project (JKOHP). In addition to including 124 interviews with Jewish Kentuckians from across the Commonwealth, the JKOHP continues to grow, and there are opportunities for undergraduate research for students who are interested in contributing to it. In the past student researchers have presented their research at national conferences, won awards from UK Libraries, and even presented at the capital in Frankfort. Students interested in Studying Abroad, might want to apply for the Zolondek Travel Awards.
We offer a number of public lectures and events every year, to keep abreast of them, "Like us" on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.