Mission

The Center for Judaic Studies and Contemporary Jewish Life at the University of Connecticut (Storrs) was founded by the Board of Trustees in February of 1979 and was formally launched at an Inaugural Program on June 12, 1979 when Nobel Laureate I.B. Singer addressed nearly one thousand persons. The Center is currently housed in the new Thomas J. Dodd Research Center.

The threefold purpose of the Center is:

• To foster academic study and research in Judaic Studies;
• To offer undergraduate and graduate courses for academic concentration and enrichment as well as training for service in the community by providing a Judaic Studies component;
• To provide resources for continuing education

The Center has been supported in part by grants from the Jewish Federations and Councils of Connecticut in Bridgeport, Danbury, Greenwich, Hartford, New Haven, New London, Stamford, Waterbury, and Westport as well as special grants from the Endowment Foundation of the Greater Hartford Jewish Federation.