By Gabriella Gomperts, Senior Features Editor
On July 1, Beren campus students received an email from Undergraduate Dean Rebecca Cypess detailing changes to the Judaic studies curriculum requirements beginning the Fall 2025 semester.
These changes, which follow additional changes to the Hebrew language requirements, are part of a larger strategic plan for Yeshiva University that aims to improve the existing academic catalog. “The Jewish Studies faculty voted to approve these changes as a first step toward implementing the department’s strategic plan,” Professor Miriam Levy-Haim, Program Manager of the Rebecca Ivry Department of Jewish Studies, told the YU Observer. “This plan was shaped by input from a broad range of stakeholders, including current students and alumnae, and reflects their shared vision for the future of Jewish Studies at Stern.”
The changes to the curriculum were primarily influenced by student and faculty feedback. “We held listening sessions and distributed surveys to everyone on the Beren campus, and students responded in huge numbers: there were 463 survey responses from students, including nearly 50 single-spaced pages of constructive comments,” Dean Cypess told the YU Observer. “That’s an enormous response rate that attests to our students’ sincere investment in our community and desire to grow from the Jewish Studies curriculum.”
As students were already on summer break when the changes were announced, they were initially met with confusion on major YU student WhatsApp chats. Layla Hellman (SCW ‘28), who was a true freshman last year, gave her initial thoughts to the YU Observer over the summer. “The new changes are very intriguing and I am hoping to be able to gain from them,” she said, adding, “I am hopeful for the new catalog but so far feeling frustrated and confused on how it works and how to sign up.”
Academic advisement hosted a town hall meeting on August 27 in Koch Auditorium and over Zoom to explain what these changes mean for new and returning students. All new students starting in the Fall 2025 semester are automatically enrolled in the new course catalog, with true freshmen seeing the biggest change, academic advisement faculty said. Returning students can choose to opt into the new catalog or continue with the previous one. The changes to the catalog are as follows:
In accordance with the previous Judaic studies policy, all students still must take at least two Judaic classes per semester. However, there are changes to the distribution requirements. Along with the required Hebrew language courses, all Beren students must now take only one fundamental course in each of the following categories: BIBL (Bible), JUDS (Judaic studies), JHIS (Jewish history) and JPHI (Jewish philosophy). In addition to these studies, students enrolled in the Sy Syms School of Business are also required to take two business ethics courses.
This is a change from the previous requirements, which had obligated students to take two BIBL and two JUDS courses instead of one each. “One of the themes in [the] surveys was that students were seeking greater flexibility and autonomy in fulfilling their Jewish Studies requirements,” Dean Cypess said. “The changes to the requirements are intended primarily to serve that purpose.”
All students are also now able to P/N (pass or no-credit) any two Judaic courses during the P/N filing period, which begins November 24 and ends Nov. 26. This means that students can choose to pass a class without receiving credit. The class would still fulfill one of the two Judaic classes per semester requirement but won’t count as fulfilling the necessary one fundamental course in its category. This gives students the option to lighten their course load during busy semesters. This change was mentioned in the initial email sent to students but absent from the town hall.
Course requirements for true freshmen were reduced significantly, from 22 Judaic studies courses to 18, or 36 total credits. Although students were only required to take two classes a semester, true freshmen would usually have to take more than that to fulfill the previously required workload. “We also heard from students who were or had been true freshmen that the three-course-per-semester requirement was difficult to manage,” Dean Cypess said. “Of course, we all want Torah learning to be a positive experience, so it made sense to reduce the pressure while still maintaining the integrity of the curriculum.”
Changes were also made to the Judaic studies major. The Judaic studies major previously required nine advanced courses in addition to the required Judaic studies catalog. It now only requires eight advanced courses, or 24 credits. Like previous semesters, the Judaic studies minor requires an additional 15 credits in advanced courses.
The town hall also discussed changes made to the two most popular majors at Stern, psychology and biology. The general psychology track used to require 13 courses total, with students able to choose two of those courses from two specific categories within the psychology department. Now the track only requires 12 courses total, with the option to take one as a learning or psychobiology course.
Biology now sees greater flexibility in mandatory courses. Previously, students were required to take cell biology and genetics. Students can now choose between cell and molecular biology, and between genetics and microbiology.
For students returning to campus who choose to opt in, they must speak to their major’s department chair and meet with a general studies academic advisor to ensure they are on the right track to graduate with the sufficient credits and courses. They must then submit an opt-in form to the registrar’s office.
Students were receptive to these changes following the town hall. “I’m excited to opt into the new catalog because it’ll make my final semester’s workload lighter and I will be able to finish my major worry-free,” Sofia Rauh (SCW ‘26) told the YU Observer.
A primary worry among Beren students is the heavy course load, and many see these changes to the Judaic catalog and other general studies majors as a significant improvement. “There doesn’t seem to be a catch, and it’s exciting to see Stern taking these steps to make the workload a little lighter and more enjoyable for students — especially for students that didn’t go to seminary,” Linda Cohen (SCW ‘27) told the YU Observer. “I still think there’s a long way to go in terms of the general requirements and how much it requires of us, but this is definitely a step in the right direction and a great response to the students.”
The Judaic studies department hopes these changes will have a positive impact on Beren students’ educational experience. “I hope students feel their voices were heard and considered,” Professor Levy-Haim said. “Most importantly, I hope these changes strengthen the department and foster richer, more purposeful learning for our students.”
Photo Credit: Yeshiva University