Welcome to the Center for Jewish Studies
Established in 1982, our Center serves both the university and the broader Western North Carolina community by providing enriching programs, academic courses, and events that celebrate and explore Jewish history, culture, and religion. We coordinate Jewish Studies courses each semester, host visiting scholars and performing artists, and support the activities of Jewish students on campus. Additionally, we manage the Jewish Collection in the Special Archives at Ramsey Library, preserving the heritage of Jewish life in the WNC region. Through our efforts, we foster intellectual, artistic, and spiritual connections among students, faculty, and the community, engaging a diverse audience that includes K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and both Jewish and non-Jewish organizations.
CJS Events
The CJS has presented some of world Jewry’s leading scholars, theologians, filmmakers, musicians, writers, and theater companies to the campus and community. Speakers have included Amos Oz, Eli Evans, Eric and Carol Meyers, Jodi Magness, David Blumenthal, Aviva Kempner, Melissa Hacker, Ruth Gruber, Kenneth Stein, Cynthia Ozick, Daniel Matt, Yehuda Amichai, Gershom Gorenberg, Christopher Browning, Ilan Stavans, Danny Maseng, Rodger Kamenetz, Julius Lester, Rabbi Jill Jacobs, Jay Michaelson, Richard Elliott Friedman, Peter Cole, James Young, and many others.
Director's Message
An oft-cited section of Pirkei Avot introduces the idea of machloket l’shem shemayim – “an argument for the sake of heaven.” At its core, this refers to an exchange in which the participants are not debating to win, but rather discussing to understand. An “argument for the sake of heaven” doesn’t result in a zero-sum defeat of other ideas or opinions, but instead leads to greater insight into the question at hand. It is, essentially, a communal endeavor to learn. In our 21st century parlance, we might call this a “constructive discussion.” This is, to me, at the very heart of the Center for Jewish Studies at UNC Asheville. Through its many undertakings – supporting students, hosting Jewish thinkers and artists, maintaining rich archival materials on Jewish life in Western North Carolina, and offering numerous academic courses in Jewish studies – the CJS is a site of vibrant intellectual inquiry for students, faculty, and Asheville residents alike, a community where both Jews and non-Jews can engage with complex and nuanced questions regarding Jewish history, culture, and religion, as well as the myriad of fields and topics that intersect with Jewish life.
Under Professor Rick Chess’s leadership, the CJS has thrived, becoming a lively and vital presence on our campus and in our community. During his three decades as director, Professor Chess has achieved remarkable success fostering many such “arguments for the sake of heaven” on topics including literature, spirituality, history, culture, language, music, politics, and more. My intention is to build on Professor Chess’s remarkable legacy and to further energize the efforts of the CJS, strengthening ties with groups across campus and beyond. Among my priorities is to create greater connection between UNC Asheville students and the wider Asheville community, as well as to develop our curriculum of Jewish studies courses into a minor. As a relative newcomer to Asheville, it has been both a privilege and a delight to get to know this region through its Jewish community. I am at once both humbled and honored to have this opportunity to work with you and to ensure that the CJS continues to flourish in the years ahead.
Lectures, Film Screenings, Readings, Theater Performances, & More!
Occasionally, the CJS hosts forums that bring together several scholars, artists, and others for several days to explore topical themes. Recent forums have included Crossing Bridges: Jewish and African-American Relations; Judaism and Buddhism; Understanding Israel; Healing in Judaism and Other Religious Traditions; and In and Out of Tradition: Encounters with Contemporary Jewish Writers.
Thanks to the generosity of Bob and Carol Deutsch, the CJS has presented a number of concerts and workshops for local musicians and singers. These events have been dedicated to the memory of Alfred and Bernice Deutsch. Performers have included Voice of the Turtle, David Krakauer and Klezmer Madness, and Danny Maseng.
The CJS has also hosted other musical events, including performances and workshops by The Klezmatics and Brave Old World.
While they are on campus, visiting scholars and artists meet with students in classes and at other informal gatherings.
The Sollod Lecture
This annual lecture, endowed by Dr. Norman Sollod in memory of his wife Phyllis Freed Sollod, began in 1990 with Aviva Cantor’s lecture on “The Feminization of Jewish Patriarchy” and has continued to bring memorable speakers to UNCA and the community.
The Asheville Jewish Film Festival
Along with the Fine Arts Theatre and other organizations, the CJS has presented the Asheville Jewish Film Festival since 2006.
Upcoming Events
Call to ActionJewish Life in Western North Carolina
These Jewish Life in Western North Carolina collections contain photographs, newspaper clippings, oral histories, and miscellaneous materials that describe various individuals, organizations and businesses in the region. This aggregate of collections is intended to grow in scale and scope and will attempt to represent Jewish life in western North Carolina from the mid-nineteenth century to the present and will focus on Asheville and the near region.
Rabbi Rachael Jackson
505 Glasgow Lane
Hendersonville, NC 28739
828.693.9838
www.agudasisraelsynagogue.org
Ashley Lasher, Executive Director
236 Charlotte Street
Asheville, NC 28801
828.253.0701
www.jcc-asheville.org
info@jcc-asheville.org
Dr. Doria Killian, Director
828.251.6274
dkillian@unca.edu
Rabbi Shaya Susskind, Executive Director
660 Merrimon Avenue, Suite C
Asheville, NC 28804
828.505.0746
www.chabadasheville.org
Rabbi@JewishWNC.com
Rabbi Batsheva Meiri
43 North Liberty Street
Asheville, NC 28801
828.253.4911
www.bethhatephila.org
admin@bethhatephila.org
Rabbi Mitch Levine
229 Murdock Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
828.252.8660
www.bethisraelnc.org
admin@bethisraelnc.org
Jessica Whitehill, Director
236 Charlotte Street
Asheville, NC 28801
828.253.2900
www.jfswnc.org
P.O. Box 7126
Asheville, NC 28802
828.545.4648
www.jewishasheville.org
wncjf@bellsouth.net
Jewish Studies Courses
There is typically at least one course with Jewish Studies content offered every semester. Courses with Jewish Studies content include the following:
- REL 387 Religion and Culture of Judaism (offered every other spring)
- RELS 389 Jewish Women and Religion (offered every other year)
- RELS 373 Judaism, Christianity, and Islam 500 – 1400
- RELS 215 Judaism and Christianity
- CLAS 105 Hebrew I (offered every fall)
- CLAS 106 Hebrew II (offered every spring)
- LIT360 Modern Jewish Writers
- LIT 365/CLAS 365 Introduction to the Hebrew Bible
- ARTS 310: Holocaust and the Arts (offered every other year)
- HIST 389 The Modern Middle East
Support the Center
If you would like to be added to the Center’s mailing list or need information about any of the Center’s activities, please contact the director:
Dr. Doria Killian
Director
The Center for Jewish Studies at UNC Asheville
Address: One University Heights
Asheville, NC 28804
Phone:
Office: (828) 251-6274
Location: 231 Whitesides Hall, CPO 2175
Email:
dkillian@unca.edu