The Jewish Studies Program at the University of Delaware, established in the Fall of 1990, is an interdisciplinary program within the College of Arts and Sciences. Jewish Studies is a secular, academic discipline that covers Jewish civilization from its ancient Near Eastern origins through its contemporary history and culture in the United States, in Israel and in communities around the world.
The Program is housed in the Frank and Yetta Chaiken Center for Jewish Studies and was endowed with a generous gift by the Chaikens.
The program focuses on teaching and research on Jewish history, literature, culture and philosophy, building its strength from the interdisciplinary nature of the intellectual offerings. The program draws on faculty teaching in constituent departments, such as Anthropology, English, Foreign Languages and Literatures, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology and Women's Studies. In addition visiting faculty also teach in the program. The program offers a variety of courses leading to a minor in Jewish Studies and sponsors academic speakers and cultural events.