Students explore the multicultural diversity and complexity of Jewish and Israeli culture, history, literature, religion, politics, philosophy, languages, art and cinema, and develop critical thinking within and across disciplines. The program supports learners in moving from knowledge to commitment and action.

An interdisciplinary minor within the history department, the program spans two colleges and seven departments: global studies; history; religious studies; English and comparative literature; Hebrew language study; art history; and political science. Scholarships are awarded annually to outstanding Jewish studies minors. A public lecture series—often presented in collaboration with the Israeli Consulate, the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Silicon Valley chapter of Hillel—features topics ranging from Israeli politics to Jewish history and literature.