About Us

The Jewish Studies Program has a history of being different, on campus and nationally.

We pride ourselves on our innovative and creative approach. Through our classes, internships, and other programming, you can learn how to see things differently too.

  • We have a robust community support network that is eager to engage students.
  • We run a major student life operation, the only academic program to do that at the College.
  • We serve thousands of meals per year.
  • We bring guest speakers and performers from all over the world to Charleston.
  • We teach differently.
  • We are involved in myriad research projects.
  • We bring in substantial grant funds every year.
  • Our professors and staff have an approach to college that challenges and defies norms and conventions.

Faculty & Staff

Jewish Studies helps you understand the diversity and complexity of the Jewish experience. Rather than teaching a profession, our professors rely on the historical, religious, philosophical, literary and linguistic components that constitute the Jewish experience to help you develop an armory of useful skills. These include writing, critical thinking, research, digitizing, global and intercultural fluency, creativity, problem-solving and public speaking.

Faculty and Staff List

Centers of Excellence

Three centers of academic excellence operate under the auspices of the Yaschik/Arnold Jewish Studies Program. These centers are run by Jewish Studies faculty and focus on research and public programming. They employ undergraduate research assistants and have other opportunities for student involvement. Get to know the center that interests you most!

Jewish Studies Center

A Picture of the Sylvia Vlosky Yaschik Jewish Studies Center.
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The Sylvia Vlosky Yaschik Jewish Studies Center, at the corner of Glebe and Wentworth Street, has been the home of the Program since October 2002. The Center houses the offices of faculty members of the Jewish Studies Program, CofC Hillel, and the Jewish Historical Society of South Carolina. It also offers Arnold Hall, a state-of-the-art meeting and conference room where educational and cultural programs are conducted, benefiting both students and the community-at-large.

Our Story

As early as 1688, Jewish people had a significant presence in Charleston. Our story begins many years later in 1984. Philosophy professor Martin Perlmutter dreamed of a home for Jewish students at the College of Charleston. Using his close connection to the local Jewish community he built a flourishing Jewish Studies Program.

From its beginnings as a small program founded by Henry and Sylvia Yaschik, Jewish Studies has grown to include a 20,000 sq. ft. building, an impressive Jewish archive, an active Hillel, six faculty, a major and a minor, three centers of excellence, a fellowship program, the largest Jewish festival in South Carolina, dozens of guests and speakers, the Charleston Jewish Filmfest and a fully kosher vegetarian dining hall.

Marty Perlmutter with a group of students in the kitchen.