Jewish Studies Winter 2026

Winter Online Seminar Courses | Make your selection by November 17, 2025

Dear Jewish Studies Students:

This winter, gather online with colleagues from across North America and beyond for two exciting courses in our Winter Seminar.

Taught by two of our acclaimed faculty members, these courses explore topics with contemporary relevance to Jewish practice and interfaith relations, while also connecting peers with a wide range of backgrounds and experience for discussion and deep learning together. These courses fulfill core requirements for both Master’s and Doctoral-level students.

Registration will open in September 2025. If you have questions or would like to discuss your choice of winter courses, please email me at dfarah@spertus.edu. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Daniella Farah
Assistant Director of Jewish Studies
Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership

Please note that the preferred registration deadline is November 2, and the final registration deadline is November 17.

Winter 2026 | Online Seminar Format | January 11-15, 2026

Passover – From the Bible to the Seder Table

Taught by Rabbi Dr. Vernon Kurtz
3 quarter-hour credits
Fulfills MAJS 2nd Level Core or Elective | DSJS Core (Jewish Living), Text, or Elective | DHL Text or Elective Core Reading Course

Seminar Morning Course
9 AM-1 PM CT each day | Meets via Zoom
Enrollment: Week of December 1

Passover is the primary Jewish family festival. Together we will explore its Biblical origins, trace its practices through Rabbinic literature, study Medieval additions to its story and rituals as well as look at modern explanations and interpretations of today’s celebration. We will end up at the Seder table doing a close reading of the text of the Haggadah as we attempt to understand the historical, cultural and religious background which makes the Seder experience and the holiday of Passover itself a meaningful celebration for all.

Included in this study will be texts from the Bible, the Apocrypha, the Mishna, Midrash and Talmud. We will also look at passages in the New Testament and discuss whether the Last Supper was a Passover Seder.

When we examine the modern day Haggadah we will look at the texts behind the current order and text, as well as observe how the Haggadah and the Seder serve as examples of modernizing meaning and ritual in our day.

Beyond Polemics? Scripture, Theology, and Post-WWII Interfaith Relations

Taught by Dr. Sam Brody
3 quarter-hour credits
Fulfills MAJS Core (Modern Jewish Experiences) or Elective | DSJS Core (Intergroup Relations) or Elective | DHL Elective Core Reading Course

Seminar Afternoon Course
2 PM-6 PM CT each day | Meets via Zoom
Enrollment: Week of December 1

The ancient and medieval history of interfaith relations, we usually believe, is characterized primarily by polemic. Each religion anxiously seeks to distinguish itself from the others, sometimes by neutrally emphasizing differences and at other times embracing harsh critiques or even violence. By contrast, the modern era is seen as one that emphasizes commonalities, with every religion often said to be truly the same at heart. This class complicates these narratives by focusing on the post-modern era of interfaith dialogue in the wake of WWII and the Shoah. Considering examples of interfaith initiatives among Jews, Christians, and Muslims, it will invite students to consider the purpose of interfaith dialogue, whether it can be justified without resorting to relativism, and what promise it holds for addressing the pressing need for global cooperation in the face of escalating crises.

Course Registration Details

Course registration is for current Spertus Institute Jewish Studies students. Please review course details before completing your registration.

Before registering for courses, students must be admitted to one of Spertus Institute’s Jewish Studies graduate programs — or be accepted as a non-degree student who meets prerequisite requirements and wishes to enroll in courses for credit. If you are interested in applying to become a Spertus Jewish Studies graduate student, please contact Amie Barrish at abarrish@spertus.edu.

November 2, 2025 — Preferred Registration Deadline
November 17, 2025 — Final Registration Deadline

Register for One or Both Courses

Course Payment

Spertus students must be in good standing to be eligible to register. This means:

• GPA is 2.7 or above.
• Financial account does not have an overdue balance.

Students who do not meet the financial criteria will need to pay down their overdue balance prior to registering for courses.

Course Costs

For MA in Jewish Studies (MAJS) Students
$400 per quarter-hour credit ($1200 per 3qh course)

For DS in Jewish Studies (DSJS) and Doctor of Hebrew Letters (DHL) Students
$475 per quarter-hour credit ($1425 per 3qh course)

A non-refundable $25 fee is charged on all course registration forms.

Refund policies vary by course format. Please review the specific policy listed on your course registration form.

Course auditing can be arranged on a select basis with approval from your advisor. Audited course tuition is $350 per 3qh course.

Questions

For questions relating to Jewish Studies courses or registration, including which course to register for next, please contact Dr. Daniella Farah at dfarah@spertus.edu.