Yeshiva University Seeks New Jewish Studies Professors

Seven candidates to be interviewed for two tenure-track positions

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Yeshiva University's Jewish Studies Department is in the process of selecting two new tenure-track assistant professors from a pool of seven candidates. The candidates represent a diverse range of backgrounds and institutions, and the new hires are expected to begin in the 2027 academic year.

Why it matters

The new hires will help replenish the Jewish Studies faculty at Yeshiva University, which has seen significant turnover in recent years with around 15 professors departing, retiring or passing away since the department's last full-time hire in 2007. The investment in Jewish Studies reflects Yeshiva's commitment to providing students with a strong understanding of their Jewish heritage.

The details

The selection committee, chaired by Bible professor Shalom Holtz, will host the seven candidates for day-long on-campus visits that include a job talk, model lessons, and meetings with deans, the search committee, students and faculty. The candidates represent a range of backgrounds, with some having received their PhDs from institutions like the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University, while others have completed or are expected to complete their doctorates from Yeshiva's own Bernard Revel Graduate School.

  • The selection process is currently underway, with the candidates being hosted on campus this month.
  • The new professors are expected to begin teaching at Yeshiva College and the Bernard Revel Graduate School in the 2027 academic year.

The players

Ari Mermelstein

Chair of the Bible, Hebrew and Near Eastern Studies Department at Yeshiva University.

Shalom Holtz

Bible professor and chair of the selection committee at Yeshiva University.

Emmanuel Bloch

Candidate who received his PhD in Jewish Studies from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and is currently a visiting research fellow at the Jewish Theological Seminary.

Marc Herman

Candidate who received his PhD in religious studies from the University of Pennsylvania and is currently an assistant professor at York University in Toronto.

Uriel Sussman

A Yeshiva University student who expressed gratitude for the university's investment in the Jewish Studies department.

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What they’re saying

“As colleges across the country allow their liberal arts departments to die, I am grateful that Yeshiva University continues to invest in Jewish Studies. The decision to replace retired staff reaffirms the unique place the department plays in giving students a more full understanding of their Jewish heritage.”

— Uriel Sussman, YC '25, BRGS '29 (The Commentator)

What’s next

The selection committee will make their final decisions on the two new tenure-track professors, who are expected to begin teaching at Yeshiva College and the Bernard Revel Graduate School in the 2027 academic year.

The takeaway

Yeshiva University's investment in replenishing its Jewish Studies faculty demonstrates the university's commitment to providing students with a robust understanding of their Jewish heritage, even as other institutions are scaling back their liberal arts offerings.