Jewish Studies Brochure - 2016

jewish.cofc.edu

Shalom

Y’all!

Here’s what you might already know. At the College of Charleston, students can expect to have an academic experience that will prepare them for a lifelong pursuit of knowledge. They can land competitive internships that will help shape their careers. They can also gain access to the thriving professional world of Charleston as it continues to gain national attention for innovation and enterprise.

And here are a few things you might not know. Students who want to attend a college with Jewish life and culture can also tap into Charleston’s active, thriving Jewish community – on campus and beyond. The Jewish Studies Center is the hub of Jewish life at the College, and the Jewish Student Union/Hillel is an integrated part of the Jewish Studies Program. And – you can keep kosher at Marty’s Place, which is on the College’s student meal plan.

In short, the College of Charleston delivers a deeply rewarding experience with a strong and storied tie to Jewish culture. Who knew?

Education

“Having the Jewish Studies

Academic life at the College of Charleston involves working closely with professors who don’t just teach, but also collaborate with, mentor and inspire students. At the College, students have access to some of the more engaging academic programs in the Southeast. And, home is a city that is distinguished by a booming tech start-up economy, thriving arts and biomedical communities and a growing entrepreneurial spirit.

Center on campus presents

Students who are interested in medicine, physical therapy or public health benefit from the College’s singular partnership with the Medical University of South Carolina, a few blocks away. There are four different computer science majors to choose from, and amazing industry connections with Google, Facebook, Mercedes, Volvo and others. Our business majors intern in one of the busiest international port cities on the East Coast, with multi national corporations such as Boeing, Bosch and Bayer, and throughout the hospitality and tourism industry.

important. I felt as though

a true sense of community.

It offers an easy way to connect with other people.

Students from Hillel reached out to me even before I arrived on campus. That was I was a part of something substantial even before I

started at the College.”

— Sophie Forstein William Aiken Fellow (accounting major)

In addition, each year a number of students receive research funding from the College, which supports faculty-supervised projects that range from the study of honeybee wing patterns to investigations into the rise of nationalism among Somali youth.

Students can choose to major or minor in Jewish studies and fulfill the College’s language requirement by completing four semesters of Hebrew. Courses on Jewish history and thought, the Holocaust and Israeli culture are taught by Jewish studies faculty and are supported by professors from a variety of academic disciplines, including religious studies, philosophy, political science, French and international studies. Students can also study away from campus at the University of Haifa in Israel and the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City.

So, what’s not to like?

Honors College

Approximately 800 students are enrolled in the Honors College and they enjoy the advantage of an exceptionally supportive and vibrant living-learning community. Small, seminar-style courses taught by preeminent faculty are augmented by unparalleled research and internship opportunities. Honors College students also have the support of a dedicated staff that arranges seminars and roundtable discussions, and mentors students seeking research grants and fellowships at the national level.

Want to enrich your college experience? Choose the Honors College and you can expect exceptional academic experiences in an intimate, supportive community.

Southern

Jewish Heritage

Where would you expect to find one of the oldest synagogues in the U.S.? Would you believe in Charleston, S.C.? Founded in 1749, Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue is just one of this city’s many landmarks that signify a proud and longstanding Jewish heritage. In fact, from 1790 to 1820, Charleston was home to the largest population of Jews in the country.

Charleston was also the birthplace of Reform Judaism in the New World (1824).

This city also boasts the country’s oldest Hebrew Orphan Society, the oldest Hebrew Benevolent Society and the first temple sisterhood. Francis Salvador, elected to the Provincial Congress in 1774, became the first Jew in the western world to be elected to public office.

The Jewish Community Today

In a metropolitan area of 700,000 residents with more than 10,000 Jews, Charleston’s Jewish community continues to thrive, with two Orthodox congregations, a Conservative synagogue, a Reform temple, a Chabad house, a day school, a JCC – and, of course, a robust Jewish Studies Program at the College. There is also an annual Jewish arts and culture festival, as well as a city-wide Chanukah celebration.

Sylvia Vlosky Yaschik Jewish Studies Center (JSC)

The JSC is the go-to spot on campus for socializing, networking, studying or meeting with professors. The Jewish Student Union/Hillel, Jewish Historical Society of South Carolina, Zucker/Goldberg Center for Holocaust Studies, Pearlstine/Lipov Center for Southern Jewish Culture and the Rabbi Hirsch Levin Judaica Library are housed here. All of the Jewish Studies programs occur in Arnold Hall, a large meeting facility at the JSC. The Jewish Studies Center has a number of classrooms in which our courses are taught.

This allows for students, faculty and staff to learn and work within the same space, creating an environment of collaboration and mutual respect.

The JSC also houses Marty’s Place, a kosher-vegan-vegetarian dining facility, which meets the needs of kosher-observant students, ethical eaters and anyone who might be looking for delicious, healthy meals on the student meal plan.

A think tank, a gathering place and a home away from home, the JSC offers an open door and seat at the table to students from all walks of life.

You

had me at

Hillel

Jewish students at the College come from a variety of religious or secular backgrounds. What brings them together is the Jewish Student Union/Hillel, the most active student group on campus. Since JSU/Hillel is not

a membership organization, students become part of that community the minute they walk through the door, no matter whether it is their first or hundredth time. Student leaders and staff create an array of activities and events, including two free meals each week at the Jewish Studies Center. In addition, JSU/Hillel organizes a number of social-action events and Israel-related programs.

Throughout the year, there are plenty of opportunities to schmooze with classmates, professors and locals, while networking at the same time. There are bagel brunches, the Three Rabbi Panel, Purim Ball, Chanukah in the Square, brown bag lunches and the Jewish Studies Program Sunday Lecture Series. Plus, there are many opportunities for volunteering on campus and throughout the city.

There are celebrations in observance of all major holidays, and student-led services on Shabbat. Two local synagogues are within walking distance of the campus, and transportation is provided to other synagogues that are farther from campus. Of course, each place of worship represents a gateway to Charleston’s larger Jewish community.

Beyond the Jewish community, students can choose from more than 220-plus Collegesponsored clubs and organizations, or enjoy movie nights, lectures and concerts.

PHOTO brochure

“You know you go to a great school with an excellent Jewish studies program when you’re interning at an American Jewish museum and you see books and other publications written by your professors. I definitely made the best decision in going to CofC.”

— Marla Topiol, Livingston, NJ

A Close-Knit Community

When you choose the College of Charleston, you become part of a close-knit community of students who come from all over the country and around the world. Through events, organizations and campus activities, Jewish students at the College find each other quickly – and just as often remain friends for life.

Majors

accounting African American studies anthropology archaeology art history arts management astronomy astrophysics biochemistry biology business administration chemistry Classics communication computer information systems computer science computing in the arts dance data science early childhood education economics elementary education English

Minors

African studies African American studies anthropology archaeology art history arts management Asian studies astronomy biomedical physics biology British studies business administration business language in French business language in Spanish chemistry Classics coaching communication comparative literature computational thinking

exercise science finance foreign language education French and Francophone studies geology German historic preservation and community planning history hospitality and tourism management international business international studies Jewish studies Latin American and Caribbean studies marine biology marketing mathematics meteorology middle grades education music philosophy

computer information systems computer science creative writing crime, law and society dance data science economics English entrepreneurship environmental studies and sustainablility European studies film studies finance French and Francophone studies geography geology German German studies

physical education physics political science professional studies psychology public health religious studies secondary education cognate sociology Spanish special education studio art supply chain management theatre urban studies women’s and gender studies special programs health professions advising (examples: medicine, nursing, dentistry, physician assistant, veterinary medicine, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy) pre-law advising

global logistics and transportation global trade Greek healthcare and medical services mangement historic preservation and community planning history hospitality and tourism management international studies Irish and Irish-American studies Italian studies Japanese studies Jewish studies Latin Latin American and Caribbean studies leadership, change and social responsibility linguistics

marketing mathematics meteorology Middle Eastern and Islamic world studies music neuroscience philosophy physics political science pre-actuarial studies psychology real estate religious studies Russian studies sociology Spanish studio art theatre urban studies women’s and gender studies

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