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The Skirball Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies provides one of North America's most extensive undergraduate Jewish studies curricula. Instruction covers Hebrew language and literature alongside Jewish history and culture spanning from antiquity to contemporary times. The department boasts world-class scholars specializing in diverse fields including Biblical and ancient Near Eastern studies, Second Temple Judaism (encompassing Dead Sea Scrolls research), Talmudic and rabbinic studies, Jewish history across medieval and modern periods, Jewish philosophical traditions, Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism, modern Hebrew and Yiddish literary works, and the sociopolitical landscape of contemporary Israel.
Students can pursue either a major or minor in Hebrew and Judaic studies. Exceptional undergraduates may join the department's honors track, featuring graduate-level coursework or specialized seminars culminating in a senior thesis guided by faculty mentorship. The department strongly recommends study abroad opportunities at NYU's Tel Aviv campus, which provides numerous courses focused on Israeli society and Jewish scholarship.