The Institute of Jewish Thought and Heritage

The University at Buffalo established the Institute of Jewish Thought and Heritage in 2009 as a multidisciplinary research and academic degree-granting center which will focus teaching and scholarship on the critical role the Jewish tradition has played in the development of Western civilization.  Designed to be highly interdisciplinary, the mission of the Institute is to foster knowledge, inquiry and scholarly excellence, and to increase understanding of Judaism. 

While it begins as an Institute, it will become a full-fledged department that will award B.A.s, M.A.s and Ph.D.s.   It is important to note that this program is the first if its kind within the SUNY system to establish master and doctoral degree programs in the field of Jewish Studies.

Because Jewish civilization is as old as human history it includes all things human.  A central and unifying feature throughout its long history and enormous diversity is Judaism’s focus on ethics, on the biblically inspired teachings of morality and the prophetic call to justice.  Ethics as the heart and soul of Jews and Judaism will therefore serve to give definition and direction to Jewish Studies at UB.   This common thread allows the program to relate ancient learning to contemporary issues, as it also facilitates the integration of its program with the entire university curriculum

Nourished by the enormous spiritual, intellectual and cultural contributions of a long and productive Jewish history, a pluralist tradition which remains alive and vibrant in today’s world, in America especially as well as in South America, Europe and the State of Israel, aligned with the Institute’s focus on excellence in scholarship, research, and teaching, the IJTH aims to become a world-class center of scholarly activity — a legitimate “Focus of Excellence.”