Department of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies

Text on the left reads, "'The opportunities for leadership within the department and the thought partnership offered by faculty really made NEJS stand out to me over the course of my time at Brandeis.'” Stanford Graduate School of Education, PhD in Educational Linguistics with a Concentration in Jewish Studies (degree expected ~June 2024) Hannah Kober BA ‘16" and an image of Hannah Kober to the right.
Text on the left reads, "'Professor Lynn Kaye's course, Crossing Boundaries and Being Human in Rabbinic Literature provided me with insight into the Talmudic understanding of how others should be treated. I finished the course feeling even more inspired to work in fields where marginalized folks are cared for and thought about.'” Paralegal at New York Legal Assistance Group's Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program NYU MPA (enrolled Fall 2022) Lily Schmidt Swartz BA ‘20" with a picture of Lily Schmidt Swartz on the right.
Text on the left reads, “'My senior thesis in NEJS and Sociology taught me all about research, interviewing subjects, and proposing new ideas. I loved being part of a small and warm department with professors who loved getting to know their students.'" M.A. Jewish Experiential Education, Jewish Theological Seminary Itrek Network Director, Ilana Sidorsky, BA ‘12" with an image of Ilana Sidorsky on the right.
One of the largest and most diverse programs of its kind, Near Eastern and Judaic Studies (NEJS) is dedicated to intellectual openness and engagement with critical questions of history, literature, religion, and culture relating to the Bible and the Ancient Near East, Jewish Studies, and Arabic and Islamic Civilizations. Pursue a degree with leading scholars dedicated to the finest instruction, mentoring, and preparation for life after Brandeis.

The Department of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies encompasses the study of Judaism as well as the neighboring cultures of Christianity and Islam with which it has interacted in ancient, medieval and modern times.

Undergraduate Program

The major is designed to combine a broad education in the various disciplines and periods that constitute NEJS and introduce students to the critical study of Near Eastern and Judaic sources, classical and modern, within the academic context.

Master's Degree Programs

Design a personalized curriculum through our diverse areas of expertise or choose to concentrate in one of three tracks: Bible and Ancient Near East, Jewish Studies, or Arabic and Islamic Civilizations.

PhD Program

The PhD program is designed to train scholars and teachers in various areas of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies. While doctoral students take advantage of a wide range of intellectual resources available to them, they may specialize in the areas of faculty strength in Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East; Ancient and Medieval Jewish, Christian, and Islamic Studies; and Jewish history, culture, and religion through the Modern period, including the study of Israel.