The University of Tulsa is pleased to announce a new academic program, the Judaic & Near Eastern studies minor, as well as the return of Hebrew language classes beginning in fall 2025.
The minor in Judaic & Near Eastern studies allows students to delve into the rich traditions, historical narratives and cultural dynamics of Judaism and the broader Near East. They will engage with diverse perspectives across multiple disciplines, fostering a deeper understanding of this pivotal region’s influence on global heritage. Beyond the classroom, students will participate in internships at museums and cultural and religious institutions and archaeological fieldwork abroad.
Beginning Hebrew will be taught by Distinguished Visiting Scholar Danielle Gurevitch professor of comparative literature and languages at Bar Ilan University in Israel.
“I am thrilled to have the support of President Brad Carson, Provost George Justice and Dean Blaine Greteman in bringing about the Judaic & Near Eastern studies minor, as well as the return of Hebrew to the School of Languages & Literature,” said Miriam Belmaker, associate professor of anthropology and coordinator of the new program. “We have had stand-alone courses on Judaism and the broader Near East before, but with the minor, students will be able to foster a much deeper understanding. Since the university has active labs that conduct research in Israel, Jordan and Cyprus, the creation of the minor and the return of Hebrew will complement and further the research already being done on campus.” Belmaker is also the faculty adviser for Hillel and the Jewish Student Cultural Association.
The new minor is made possible by the Jewish Studies Fund, which operates out of the Dean’s Office in Kendall College of Arts & Sciences and provides support to invigorate Jewish presence on campus, increase Jewish and Israeli voices, collaborate with the local community and foster interfaith dialogues among students and faculty.
“The Judaic & Near Eastern studies program is exciting for so many reasons: It connects with the surge of student interest at UTulsa in classical studies, ancient languages and foundational civilizational texts,” Greteman said. “It also offers rich opportunities to connect even further with local Jewish and Islamic communities as part of our Heart of Tulsa initiative. And of course, it’s part of our commitment to cultivating truly global citizens.”
Students interested in the Judaic & Near Eastern studies minor should email Belmaker at miriam-belmaker@utulsa.edu. Students interested in enrolling in Hebrew courses for the fall should email Associate Professor Lydie Meunier, director of the School of Language & Literature, at lydie-meunier@utulsa.edu.