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.
CJS Director: Derek Penslar
Derek J. Penslar is William Lee Frost Professor of Jewish History at the Department of History.
Read more about our Faculty Leadership
Academics
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.
Recent News
- The Ancient Studies at Harvard Visitor Series Presents: Simcha Gross
The Ancient Studies at Harvard Visitor Series Presents: Simcha Gross Simcha Gross , Assistant Professor of Ancient Rabbinics at University of Pennsylvania and Honorary Starr Fellow at the CJS (Spring 2025), will present: Tuesday, March 4,… - 2025-2026 Daniel Jeremy Silver Fellowship application process now open
The Harvard University Center for Jewish Studies invites applications for the 2025-2026 Daniel Jeremy Silver Fellowship Applicants must be active members of the clergy who have demonstrated serious intellectual and academic ability, interest and energy in… - Shira Hoffer ’25 featured in the Harvard GazetteShira Hoffer ’25 featured in the Harvard Gazette Shira, winner of the 2024 Selma and Lewis Weinstein Prize in Jewish Studies, launched the Hotline for Israel/Palestine in late 2023 to encourage productive dialogue on campus. Read about…
Upcoming Events
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.
Our Newsletter
Our office proudly presents annual or biannual Newsletters with comprehensive accounts of current work done at the CJS.
