M.A. in Multicultural Judaic Studies

“For man is the tree of the field” – like the tree, the stronger our roots are, the stronger we are. In the master’s degree in Jewish Studies, the Ono Academic College invites students to deepen their roots and join the tradition of thousands of years of Jewish study. The students will be able to deepen their knowledge of the fundamental ideas that have shaped Judaism and Jewish society from the beginning from a relevant, multicultural, complex, and profound Israeli perspective.

Among the study topics: Biblical literature and its relevance to today, Chazal Legends, the controversies that shaped the Jewish world, currents in Judaism, Israeli and multicultural identities, the challenge of the digital revolution in the Jewish world, Jewish and Muslim relations in the modern age, the philosophical questions of the Holocaust, the thoughts of Jewish scholars in Islamic countries, cinema, music and art, literature and poetry.

Master’s degree in Jewish Studies

Our degree is an encounter that begins in the ancient Jewish content world and reaches today’s diverse Israeli society while listening to each student’s different worlds and traditions. We are interested in turning the degree into a formative experience of intellectual study that leads to deep spiritual and social insights – each person and their insights. The degree is recognized by the Council of Higher Education and the level of academic requirements accordingly. The program will train the students for a Jewish academic perspective on the reality of Jewish and Israeli life, develop critical thinking, meet diverse research approaches, and provide tools for writing academic papers. The students will experience learning in a Beit Midrash, go on practical tours, and deepen Jewish studies and the complexity of contemporary Israeli society.

Master’s degree in Jewish studies with a specialization in criminology

What does the study of Judaism have to contribute to the study of crime?

For 2000 years, Judaism has examined the deep roots of the forbidden act and how to return from it.

The sin and transgression, punishment, and correction processes of the individual and the community have been studied in depth by the sages of Judaism in all generations.

The program’s purpose is the mutual enrichment of those involved in the field of criminology and Judaism and the connection of the professional world of the students to the academic world on relevant issues.

This program is part of the Department of Jewish Studies concept to change the cultural discourse in Israel by listening and being present to the various voices in Israeli society, with the understanding that humanities studies play a significant role in establishing a reformed community.

Program goals

The program will train the students for a Jewish academic perspective on the reality of Jewish and Israeli life, develop critical thinking, meet diverse research approaches, and provide tools for writing academic papers. The students will experience learning in a Beit Midrash, go on practical tours, and deepen Jewish studies and the complexity of contemporary Israeli society.

The duration of studies

One year, three semesters, including a summer semester.

Academic Director – Dr. Nevo Shimon Vaknin