What We Do

The Center for Jewish Studies serves as an umbrella organization, encompassing and coordinating the many academic and extra-curricular programs in Jewish Studies at Harvard University.

mosaic of images organized into a grid:
CJS Logo, ancient Jewish manuscripts, photos of synagogue, art by Israeli artists, ancient Jewish coin, book on Poetry in the Bible, and more

Welcome Derek Penslar, New CJS Director

The Center for Jewish Studies welcomes its new Director, Derek J. Penslar, William Lee Frost Professor of Jewish History at the Department of History. Professor Penslar succeeds David Stern, Harry Starr Professor of Classical and Modern Jewish and Hebrew Literature and Professor of Comparative Literature, who directed the CJS since 2016. 

Professor Derek Penslar, 2022
Center for Jewish Studies at Harvard seminar, group shot and portraits April 11, 2022

Fellowship Opportunities

The Center for Jewish Studies supports a number of fellowships and prizes for qualified undergraduate and graduate Harvard students, as well as an exchange program for graduate students in Jewish studies with The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

We are also pleased to support and host research scholars, Visiting Professors and Lecturers in Jewish studies from outside Harvard.

More About Fellowships & Prizes

Recent News

  • Jewish Studies Fall 2024 Courses Page is now Live!
    Fall 2024 course registration for returning students starts today, March 27, 2024, and Crimson Carts are open! Not sure which Jewish studies course t take? Can’t find out what’s available? Looking for a language class? Browse…
  • NEW!!! CJS Graduate Student Conference Funding
    CJS Graduate Student Conference Funding The Center for Jewish Studies at Harvard University has limited available funds to support qualified, enrolled Harvard University graduate students in Jewish studies (primarily GSAS) to participate in up to 2 conferences…
  • Anna Kohen | “Flower of Vlora: Growing up Jewish in Communist Albania”
    Anna Kohen | “Flower of Vlora: Growing up Jewish in Communist Albania” Monday, March 25th, 2024, 6 pm – 8 pm EST Boylston Hall110- Fong Auditorium, 5 Harvard Yard, Cambridge RSVP on the Harvard College Calendar…

Giving to the CJS

The Center for Jewish Studies is very grateful to our donors for their generosity in supporting our endeavors. Those pursuing Jewish studies at Harvard University may benefit from a number of endowment and current use funds established over the years. New funds are formed continuously to support students and scholars in their pursuit for greater knowledge and achievement in this field. These may also support publications, events, other activities and administration at the Center for Jewish Studies.

David Stern shows Medieval Manuscript to Friends of the CJS in Cambridge, March 29, 2017

Our Newsletter

Our office proudly presents annual or biannual Newsletters with comprehensive accounts of current work done at the CJS.

Newsletter Fall 2022-2023 Cover page