Department of Jewish Thought

Our faculty are widely published and internationally recognized for their work in the study of ethics, gender, history, literature, philosophy and politics.

The Levinas Philosophy Summer Seminars

4/30/18

The annual Levinas Philosophy Summer Seminars bring together scholars from across the globe for discussion of Emmanuel Levinas, one of the most original and important philosophers of the 20th century.

Attend Lectures and Community Events

3/5/18

Join us for one of our visiting scholar or community lecture series, as well as symposiums, seminars and more!

Graduate Program in Jewish Thought

6/30/23

Graduates of the Master of Arts in Jewish Thought program will contribute to the development of new ways of thinking in a truly interdisciplinary perspective, while rooting itself in the rigorous study of the Jewish intellectual tradition.

Study Modern and Classical Hebrew

3/5/18

Develop language skills in modern Hebrew for conversation and classical Hebrew to read ancient texts in their original language.

Take Your Education to the Next Level

3/5/18

A BA or Minor in Jewish Studies provides students with a comprehensive view of Jewish thought, history and life.

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What is Jewish Thought?

Jewish Thought is for students from all walks of life.

MA in Jewish Thought

Prepare for advanced research in Jewish texts

BA in Jewish Studies

Dive deep into the Jewish intellectual tradition.

Minor in Jewish Studies

Complement a major in art, history, philosophy and more.

Scholarships and Awards

Undergrad and grad funding!

The Department of Jewish Thought is dedicated to studying Judaism as an intellectual, ethical and literary tradition, highlighting its importance to the development of Western civilization from antiquity until today. We work to foster inquiry and expand knowledge through scholarship and instruction that makes this tradition available to broader humanities.

Department News

UB Professor Richard A. Cohen Honored for Career of Scholarship in Ethical Thought.
9/12/25
A new SUNY Press volume, "The Event of the Good: Reading Levinas in a Levinasian Way," honors UB Professor Richard A. Cohen’s 45-year career in philosophy with essays from 21 scholars worldwide exploring his influential work on ethics.
UB Co-edited Volume Sparks International Dialogue on Philosophy and Rabbinic Thought
9/5/25
The co-edited volume Talmud and Philosophy (Indiana University Press, 2024), led by UB’s Sergey Dolgopolski, is sparking global dialogue — including a dedicated conference in Munich this fall exploring the intersections of rabbinic tradition and philosophy.
Dolgopolski Presents Work on Monotheism and Antisemitism in Vienna
9/5/25
UB Jewish Thought professor Sergey Dolgopolski shared his research on “Monotheism as Antisemitism” at an international conference in Vienna, contributing to global dialogue on religion, law and justice.
Dolgopolski to Explore the Politics of Disagreement at Global Talmud Workshop
9/5/25
UB Jewish Thought professor Sergey Dolgopolski will join the global Talmud workshop in Antwerp this fall, exploring how ancient traditions of disagreement can illuminate today’s political and cultural conflicts.
M.A. Student, Anthony Catanese, Selected to Participate in Prestigious Showcase!
9/5/25
Anthony Catanese, M.A., the department’s 2024 Masters Program in Jewish Thought graduate was selected to present his thesis, “An Archeology of Monotheism” at the "20th Annual Celebration of Student Academic Excellence Student Showcase."

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Mourning the loss of Gordon Gross