Stern College Updates Jewish Studies Requirements Under ‘25-‘26 Catalog
On July 1, Stern College announced a series of updates to its Judaic Studies curriculum. The changes, announced via email to the Beren Campus student body, reduce the required number of courses from 22 to 18. This also comes with a reduction in the required amount of courses in some Judaic categories, giving students more flexibility to choose classes based on their interests.
The revised curriculum also lowers the number of required courses for first-year students entering directly from high school.
Under the previous model, students had to complete a fixed number of courses across Jewish History, Jewish Studies, Jewish Philosophy and Bible. Now, students are required to take only one course in each of these areas, with the freedom to choose the remaining 14 courses from any category. In addition, under the previous model, students could earn up to 27 credits from seminary, which equated to ten Jewish Studies courses. Under the new model, students coming from one year in seminary can still earn up to 27 credits, but it will be divided into 12 Jewish Studies credits and 15 elective credits.
Students in the Sy Syms School of Business must still take two courses in the Sy Syms Jewish Values curriculum as part of their 18 course requirement.
YU is also reducing the requirements for students who did not take a gap year. According to the “Strategic Plan,” those who come straight from high school will take two Jewish Studies courses per semester instead of three, a change administrators said responds to feedback that such students felt “overwhelmed.”
Students also now have the opportunity to take up to two Jewish Studies courses as Pass/Fail, in an effort to encourage Torah Lishma (learning Torah for its own sake), according to the email.
While these changes will be implemented in the upcoming catalog, current students are now able to decide whether to opt in or continue with the old catalog. These updates come after “a months-long strategic planning process” in an effort to reinforce Stern College’s commitment to its students, according to the email.
“The faculty of the Stern Jewish Studies Department is deeply committed to the growth of our students in all ways—by building skills, knowledge, a deep connection with our Mesorah and inspiration for a life of Avodat Hashem,” the email wrote.
In addition, Dean Rebecca Cypess told The Commentator that the new catalog will also address updates regarding the Jewish Studies major and minor should they come.
“When I arrived at YU a little over a year ago, I invited each faculty member at Stern and Yeshiva College to meet with me individually,” she said. “The faculty members of the Stern Jewish Studies Department shared many wonderful ideas for new initiatives and directions for the program.
“I saw that they were looking for opportunities to talk through these ideas together, and also to hear directly from our students, who are so sincere and invested in their Torah education,” Cypess said. “Dean Schechter, Dr. Rabinovich, and I … distributed surveys that garnered hundreds of responses.”
“I hope each student on the Beren campus will engage with the Jewish Studies curriculum in the ways that help her meet her individual needs, interests, and goals,” she added, “while also cultivating a sincere Ahavat Hashem and laying the foundation for continued learning and growth over her lifetime.”
Elianna Wasserman (SCW ‘27) expressed her gratitude and relief over these new changes.
“The Jewish Studies requirements at Stern often felt like a burden and were a significant source of stress for me and a lot of my friends, so I am happy that the faculty have seen these problems and have chosen to do something about it,” she told The Commentator.
Regarding possible future changes to the Judaic Studies curriculum, Cypess noted that “the strategic plan is just that — a plan. It lays out ambitious goals for the coming years, as well as questions that will benefit from continued discussion.”
Daniel Brauner contributed to this article.
Photo Caption: Stern College for Women
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
