New M.A. Program in Jewish Women’s Studies

Why is Sarah’s voice absent from the story of the binding of Isaac? What don’t we yet know about the role of women in the ancient synagogue? Can a feminist perspective help uncover hidden facets of Jewish social history? These questions will be among those explored in a new master’s degree program in Jewish Women’s Studies scheduled to begin in Fall 1995 at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America (the teaching arm of the Conservative movement in New York.)

“Bringing women’s studies and Jewish studies together at J.T.S. provides an unparalleled opportunity,” says Dr. Anne Lapidus Lerner, the first woman vice-chancellor at the Seminary, who will direct the new program and teach the required first-year seminar. Lerner says that the program will provide “in-depth, authentic Jewish study both for students just beginning Judaic studies and those with already strong Jewish backgrounds.” Each student will conduct research, study feminist theory, and complete courses in a specific area of concentration as well as in Jewish women’s studies. Contact: Graduate Admissions Office, Jewish Theological Seminary, 3080 Broadway, New York NY 10027. (212) 678-8022. E-mail: gradschool@jtsa.edu

For information about the Jewish Theological Seminary’s Israel MA program in Judaic Studies with a concentration in Women’s and Gender Studies [LILITH Fall 1994], contact Miriam Wernich, Beit Midrash, FOB 8600, 91083 Jerusalem ISRAEL Phone: 972-2-790-755 or Fax:972-2-790-840.