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.

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.

Conduct Research with Faculty Experts
3/5/18

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

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.​

 

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.

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!

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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

  • Professor Richard Cohen Wins Prestigious NEH Award!
    9/5/25
    The Department of Jewish Thought is proud to announce the National Endowment for the Humanities has awarded Professor Richard A. Cohen a grant to direct a one-week seminar to be held in Augusts 2020 on the topic “Emmanuel Levinas: Ethics of Democracy,” at the University at Buffalo. 
  • Introducing Our Newest Faculty Member, Alexandra Zirkle!
    9/5/25
    Alexandra Zirkle will be our inaugural Irving M. and Marilyn C. Shuman Visiting Professor in Jewish Studies.
  • 2019 Graduation and Awards Celebration!
    9/5/25
    UB’s Department of Jewish Thought was delighted to host its 2019 graduation and awards celebration for its graduating students and award winners. The event took place on Tuesday April 30, 2019 at 7 pm in the Samuel J. Friedman Library in Clemens Hall.
  • Professor Sergey Dolgopolski's Book Launch Event!
    9/5/25
    Professor Sergey Dolgopolski's new book! "The Other Others" puts contemporary political theory and a literary-theoretical exploration of the core text of Rabbinic Judaism, the Talmud, into both a fruitful and tensed conversation one with another. In the words of the book's catalogue description: "Denying legal and moral existence to those who do not belong to a land, while tolerating diversity of those who do stabilizes a political order—or does it? Revisiting this core problem of contemporary political theory, Other Others turns to the Talmud as an untapped resource for a conception of the political and a take on excluded others our philosophical and theological traditions have effaced."
  • Congratulations to our 2019 Outstanding Senior: Louis Eisenhauer
    9/5/25
    A ceremony on April 4th, 2019 honored twenty-five College of Arts and Sciences seniors for their noteworthy contributions to the College and their individual department or program. Congratulations, Louis!

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Mourning the loss of Gordon Gross