Oxford Centre for Hebrew & Jewish Studies

29/09/2026

Today we welcome the newest member of the OCHJS team, our new Academic Registrar, Celeste Pan!

Welcome to the family, Celeste!

18/09/2026

Applications are now open for the OSRJL Jewish Music Class for Michaelmas Term 2026!

This term will focus on Yiddish Song Cultures, from the 1300s to the 21st Century!

The course will occur online via Zoom on Mondays 18:15 to 19:15 (UK time).

For more information, visit the following webpage:
https://www.ochjs.ac.uk/language-classes/oxford-school-of-rare-jewish-languages/jewish-music-classes/

17/09/2026

Drs. Miri Freud-Kandel and Lea Taragin-Zeller invite applications for their 2026–2027 working group on 'Jewish Theology and Anthropology: A Conversation'!

Applications are due October 5, 2026

For any queries, please contact: [email protected], and for more information, see the following webpage:

https://www.ochjs.ac.uk/jewish-theology-and-anthropology-a-conversation/

01/09/2026

Don't forget to apply to our OSRJL Michaelmas Term language classes!

The deadline to apply is Thursday, 10 September 2026 at 12 noon UK time!

We are delighted to announce, that as part of the Oxford School of Rare Jewish Languages (OSRJL), applications for language classes beginning in Michaelmas Term 2026 are now open!

The deadline to apply is Thursday, 10 September 2026 at 12 noon UK time.

Classes beginning in Michaelmas Term 2026 include the following languages:

Haketia
Baghdadi Judeo-Arabic
Judeo-Italian
Judeo-Moroccan
Judeo-Neo-Aramaic
Judeo-Persian
Judeo-Tat
Karaim
Ladino
Old Yiddish
Yiddish

For more information on the programme and how to apply, please consult the OSRJL page on our website: https://www.ochjs.ac.uk/language-classes/oxford-school-of-rare-jewish-languages/

22/08/2026

We are pleased to share the latest Impact Report for our Oxford School of Rare Jewish Languages programme, covering the 2025-26 academic year!

You can find the report, along with previous ones and more information about the programme, on the OSRJL’s webpage.

https://www.ochjs.ac.uk/language-classes/oxford-school-of-rare-jewish-languages/

13/08/2026

From 28–30 August, the Jewish Music Institute will be presenting Yiddish Culture Weekend, a celebration of Yiddish language, culture and creativity!

Please find the programme attached, and for more information and tickets, visit the following website:
https://jmi.org.uk/news/yiddish-culture-weekend-2026-2/

05/08/2026

We are delighted to announce, that as part of the Oxford School of Rare Jewish Languages (OSRJL), applications for language classes beginning in Michaelmas Term 2026 are now open!

The deadline to apply is Thursday, 10 September 2026 at 12 noon UK time.

Classes beginning in Michaelmas Term 2026 include the following languages:

Haketia
Baghdadi Judeo-Arabic
Judeo-Italian
Judeo-Moroccan
Judeo-Neo-Aramaic
Judeo-Persian
Judeo-Tat
Karaim
Ladino
Old Yiddish
Yiddish

For more information on the programme and how to apply, please consult the OSRJL page on our website: https://www.ochjs.ac.uk/language-classes/oxford-school-of-rare-jewish-languages/

02/08/2026

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Clara Pitocchi is one of our current DPhil students in the AMES Faculty!

'This year has been all about taking my research beyond the page.
My DPhil explores how Jews, Muslims, and Christians navigated the plural legal landscape of Fatimid Egypt, with a particular focus on how Jewish litigants strategically engaged with different legal systems. I've had the chance to present different aspects of my work at BRAIS in London and the International Medieval Congress in Leeds, where sharing ideas and receiving thoughtful feedback has been one of the highlights of the year.

'My favourite thing about OCHJS is that, despite being far from home, it has become a place where I truly feel at home—surrounded by people who are generous with their time, knowledge, and encouragement!'

13/07/2026

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Luhai “Luka” Liu is one of our current DPhil students in the AMES Faculty, as well as our OSRJL Administrator.

'I'm researching the office of the Presbyter Iudeorum and what it reveals about how medieval English Jewry was governed and represented before the Expulsion of 1290. OCHJS has been an inspiring place to pursue this research, with its unique combination of scholarly resources, vibrant academic community, and commitment to Jewish studies.

'Working as the OSRJL Administrator has also given me the opportunity to contribute to that community while learning from it every day. As a Chinese student, I'm especially grateful to be part of an institution that encourages international dialogue, and I hope to help strengthen connections between Oxford and East Asia through the study of Jewish languages and history.'

03/07/2026

On our webpage you can now find a letter from our President, Prof. Judith Olszowy-Schlanger, speaking on the importance of the Oxford School of Rare Jewish Languages.

If you are able, please consider supporting this amazing school and its diverse range of programmes.

https://www.ochjs.ac.uk/letter-from-the-president-osrjl-fundraiser/