About Us

Jewish Studies Initiatives at Florida International University educates university students and faculty and the general South Florida community about Jewish history, culture, religion, literature, political science, and international relations. Jewish Studies offers academically rigorous, multidisciplinary courses at both the Biscayne Bay and University Park campuses in a wide range of departments.

A Certificate in Jewish Studies is available to those who complete an eighteen-credit interdisciplinary course program. The certificate can complement a student's major or be a stand-alone program for non-matriculated students pursuing personal enrichment or professional credentialization.

FIU recently acquired the Jewish Museum of Florida (JMOF). A key component of the academic plan for this new partnership is the relocation of a variety of programs, including the Jewish Studies Certificate Program, to the museum’s facilities. The plan also includes the expansion of academic programs and research endeavors designed to educate FIU students, faculty, and the greater South Florida community about the challenges of the immigrant experiences shared by all ethnicities in the state of Florida.

Jewish Studies Initiatives also offers a variety of community outreach events that are open to the public and the FIU community. Events are held at the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU as well as on both FIU campuses. JSI sponsors and co-sponsors lectures and seminars, as well musical and theatrical performances and films. Our speakers have included some of the leading thinkers and artists in the Jewish world, such as President Yitzhak Navon, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, Rabbi Dr. Avraham Steinberg, Prof. Deborah Dash Moore, Prof. Moshe Idel, Prof. Paula Hyman, Rodger Kamenetz, Rabbi Michael Lerner, Prof. Xu Xin, Prof. David Novack, Prof. Khaleel Mohammed, Rabbi Moshe Tendler, Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski, Rabbi Yehuda Berg, Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis, Senator Richard Stone, Ambassador Michael Oren, among others.

For additional information about any of our programs, please email jewishstudies@fiu.edu.