The University of Kansas Jewish Studies Program wrapped up its Fall 2025 semester, capping a season of classes, events, awards and partnerships.
In addition to academic courses, Jewish Studies held multiple events this past semester, including the Druze Studies Conference, “Druze in the Levant and the Diaspora – Discourses of Tradition and Modernity” spearheaded by Dr. Rami Zeedan. Dr. Samantha Cooper’s Steinhardt Lecture, “Falling off the Roof and Into the Opera House: Jewish Opera-Going, Humor, and Anxiety in American Popular Culture,” provided an opportunity for Jewish Studies to collaborate with the KU School of Music. Also, Dr. Omri Senderowicz gave his colloquium presentation, “In Defense of Fetishism: Long, Boring Meetings in a 1970s Kibbutz.”
Jewish Studies also co-sponsored several events with the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education (MCHE). In October, it co-sponsored “Voices from the Shadows: LGBTQ Experiences During the Nazi Era” and “The Soldier with No Name: Claude Cahun & Queer Jewish Resistance” with Dr. Melissa Karp, as well as Dr. Shelley Cline’s presentation, “Dictating Art: The Regimentation of Nazi Culture.” In November, Jewish Studies also co-sponsored MCHE’s Kristallnacht commemoration presentation, “Eroding the Rule of Law in the Third Reich” with Dr. Cynthia Fountaine, academic associate dean from the University of North Texas, Dallas School of Law.
Several student-centered events were held, including Jewish Studies’ annual Fall Open House; Jewish diversity event; “Jew-pardy” Jewish trivia; “Hebrew Headbanz” game session; third annual “Sufganiyot Special” featuring Jewish professionals from across the Kansas City area; and “Bagels & Mingle with KAHAL,” which introduced students to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee Entwine KAHAL study-abroad program.
Jewish Studies is also celebrating the accomplishments of its faculty members. Achievements included:
- Dr. Sam Brody’s publication of “In Search of Arab Jews” in the Boston Review
- Dr. Vitaly Chernetsky receiving the 2025 Kansas Board of Regents Faculty of the Year Award for his scholarship and education of KU students after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2023-2024
- Dr. Rami Zeedan and Asaf Day’s publication of “Populism in Israel: Netanyahu and the strategic approach,” in Mediterranean Politics (2025) and Dr. Zeedan’s publication of “For Syrian Druze, latest violence is one more chapter in a centuries-long struggle over autonomy” in The Conversation
- Dr. Zeedan being awarded the 2025-2026 Research Excellence Initiative (REI) from the College Dean’s Office and receiving the 2025 Shulenburger Award for Innovation and Advocacy in Scholarly Communication
- Dr. Sam Cooper receiving the Vice Chancellor for Research & Friends of the Hall Center Book Publication Award for her book, “American Jews and the Making of the New York Opera Industry, 1880-1940;” and the Salo Wittmayer Baron Dissertation Award in Jewish Studies from the Center for Jewish Studies at Arizona State University.
- Dr. RB Perelmutter receiving the 2024 World of Fantasy Award for Best Novella for their work, “Yoke of Stars”
- Dr. Bogi Perelmutter’s publication of their space opera novel, “Song of Spores”
- Dr. Ari Linden’s publication of “Adorno on Actually Existing Socialism” in New German Critique
For the 2026 spring semester, Jewish Studies will hold its annual January open house and Purim celebration. It will also host MCHE’s Dr. Karp; Dr. Alyssa Appleman of the KU School of Journalism and Keeler Fellow; and Dr. Zeedan as spring presenters for the Dorothy Stein Ernest Colloquium in Jewish Studies for faculty.
An estimated 250 students will be served by more than 15 Jewish Studies courses and independent studies in the spring semester.