Q&A

Everything You Wanted to Know About the Multidisciplinary Department of Jewish Studies

What is the Multidisciplinary Department?

The Multidisciplinary Department of Jewish Studies at Bar-Ilan University breaks down the traditional boundaries between the fields that make up the faculty, uniting them into a unique and content-rich integrated program. All areas of Jewish studies are combined in this department: Bible, Talmud, Jewish history and art, Hebrew and other Semitic languages, Yiddish and Ladino, Jewish literature and philosophy, Land of Israel studies and archaeology, and Middle Eastern studies. The department’s faculty provide guidance and advice to help you design a personalized study program, allowing you to explore and deepen your knowledge across a variety of fields according to your interests.

Is it possible to study in English?

Yes. The Multidisciplinary Department offers an international program taught entirely in English, attracting students from around the world.

In addition to academic studies, the department provides a rich interpersonal experience and a variety of educational and social activities, in which the entire vibrant community participates: special meetings, educational tours across the country, academic conferences, and more.

What do we study?

The strength of the Multidisciplinary Department lies in its large faculty, composed of researchers from all the divisions of Bar-Ilan University’s Faculty of Jewish Studies. Its rich course offerings are unmatched by any other university, in Israel or abroad, allowing you to explore a wide range of topics and also examine a single subject from multiple perspectives. For example, synagogues are studied from archaeological, halachic, artistic, social, liturgical, and historical perspectives.

Such a broad approach is possible only in the Multidisciplinary Department. A bachelor’s degree here will prepare you for advanced studies in Jewish Studies according to the fields you choose to specialize in, and you can also complete teacher training in Jewish subjects.

So what can you do with the degree?

Today’s job market is looking for employees who bring a broad knowledge base across many fields, critical and creative thinking, and strong written and oral communication skills—qualities our graduates possess. In addition, our graduates often go on to teach in the education system.

Possible Combinations

• Single-Major (Extended) Bachelor’s Degree in the Multidisciplinary Department of Jewish Studies
• Dual-Major Bachelor’s Degree, combining the Multidisciplinary Department with another field of your choice

Our programs:

1. Jewish Culture Track – A structured program offering the widest range of courses for the study of Jewish culture, designed for students seeking the greatest flexibility. In this track, students study three or four learning divisions from all areas and departments within the Faculty of Jewish Studies, and may also enroll in various elective courses.
2. Cramim Excellence Program – Admission to Cramim is for candidates with high academic achievements (high psychometric scores, high matriculation averages, or a combination of both). Special emphasis is placed on natural curiosity and a desire to engage deeply with the broad and challenging range of knowledge in the Multidisciplinary Department of Jewish Studies. Depending on their interests, students may also take courses in another department at the university as part of a dual-degree track.
3. International Program – This program is taught in English and is intended for candidates from around the world, as well as for new immigrants and Israelis who prefer to complete all or part of their degree in English.

Admission Requirements for the Jewish Culture and International Programs

• If your matriculation average is 90 or above, there is no need for a psychometric test, but you must meet the English placement exam threshold.
• If your matriculation average is below 90, you can check your admission chances using the university’s online calculator, which considers both your matriculation average and psychometric score, subject to meeting the English placement exam threshold.
• Admission requirements for the Cramim Excellence Program and the International Program are listed on the department’s website.