Shaye J.D. Cohen
Encyclopedia
Shaye J. D. Cohen is the Littauer Professor of Hebrew Literature and Philosophy in the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations of Harvard University
. He received his Ph.D. in Ancient History
, with distinction, from Columbia University
in 1975. He is also an ordained rabbi
, and for many years was the Dean of the Graduate School and Shenkman Professor of Jewish History at the Jewish Theological Seminary
in New York
. Before arriving at Harvard in July 2001, he was for ten years the Samuel Ungerleider Professor of Judaic Studies and Professor of Religious Studies at Brown University
. The focus of Professor Cohen's research is the boundary between Jews and gentiles and between Judaism and its surrounding culture. He is also a published authority on Jewish reactions to Hellenism
and to Christianity
.
Professor Cohen has received several honors for his work, including an honorary doctorate from the Jewish Theological Seminary and various fellowships. He has been honored by appointment as Croghan Distinguished Visiting Professor of Religion (Williams College
), the Louis Jacobs Lecturer (Oxford University), the David M. Lewis Lecturer (Oxford University), Lady Davis Fellowship (Visiting Professor) of Jewish History (Hebrew University of Jerusalem
), the Block Lecturer (Indiana University
), the Roland Visiting Lecturer (Stanford University
) and the Pritchett Lecturer (University of California, Berkeley
). He appeared on a Nova
episode http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/transcripts/2706israel.html as an expert on Jewish history
.
Cohen has published many essays, co-authored many books, and written a number of books individually, including: "Josephus in Galilee and Rome: His Vita and Development As a Historian" (1979), "From the Maccabees to the Mishnah" (1988), "The Beginnings of Jewishness: Boundaries, Varieties, Uncertainties" (2001), "Why Aren't Jewish Women Circumcised?: Gender and Covenant in Judaism" (2005) and "The Significance of Yavneh and Other Essays in Jewish Hellenism" (2010)http://www.google.com/search?q=josephus+in+the+gallillee+his+vita&btnG=Search+Books&tbm=bks&tbo=1#q=inauthor%3A%22Shaye+J.+D.+Cohen%22&hl=en&tbo=1&tbm=bks&ei=0TQBTtuHE4i00AHJg6DADg&start=0&sa=N&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=e53070380e3cb2a&biw=1280&bih=685.
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. He received his Ph.D. in Ancient History
Ancient history
Ancient history is the study of the written past from the beginning of recorded human history to the Early Middle Ages. The span of recorded history is roughly 5,000 years, with Cuneiform script, the oldest discovered form of coherent writing, from the protoliterate period around the 30th century BC...
, with distinction, from Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
in 1975. He is also an ordained rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
, and for many years was the Dean of the Graduate School and Shenkman Professor of Jewish History at the Jewish Theological Seminary
Jewish Theological Seminary of America
The Jewish Theological Seminary of America is one of the academic and spiritual centers of Conservative Judaism, and a major center for academic scholarship in Jewish studies.JTS operates five schools: Albert A...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. Before arriving at Harvard in July 2001, he was for ten years the Samuel Ungerleider Professor of Judaic Studies and Professor of Religious Studies at Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
. The focus of Professor Cohen's research is the boundary between Jews and gentiles and between Judaism and its surrounding culture. He is also a published authority on Jewish reactions to Hellenism
Hellenistic civilization
Hellenistic civilization represents the zenith of Greek influence in the ancient world from 323 BCE to about 146 BCE...
and to Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
.
Professor Cohen has received several honors for his work, including an honorary doctorate from the Jewish Theological Seminary and various fellowships. He has been honored by appointment as Croghan Distinguished Visiting Professor of Religion (Williams College
Williams College
Williams College is a private liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams. Originally a men's college, Williams became co-educational in 1970. Fraternities were also phased out during this...
), the Louis Jacobs Lecturer (Oxford University), the David M. Lewis Lecturer (Oxford University), Lady Davis Fellowship (Visiting Professor) of Jewish History (Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem ; ; abbreviated HUJI) is Israel's second-oldest university, after the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. The Hebrew University has three campuses in Jerusalem and one in Rehovot. The world's largest Jewish studies library is located on its Edmond J...
), the Block Lecturer (Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
), the Roland Visiting Lecturer (Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
) and the Pritchett Lecturer (University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
). He appeared on a Nova
NOVA (TV series)
Nova is a popular science television series from the U.S. produced by WGBH Boston. It can be seen on the Public Broadcasting Service in the United States, and in more than 100 other countries...
episode http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/transcripts/2706israel.html as an expert on Jewish history
Jewish history
Jewish history is the history of the Jews, their religion and culture, as it developed and interacted with other peoples, religions and cultures. Since Jewish history is over 4000 years long and includes hundreds of different populations, any treatment can only be provided in broad strokes...
.
Cohen has published many essays, co-authored many books, and written a number of books individually, including: "Josephus in Galilee and Rome: His Vita and Development As a Historian" (1979), "From the Maccabees to the Mishnah" (1988), "The Beginnings of Jewishness: Boundaries, Varieties, Uncertainties" (2001), "Why Aren't Jewish Women Circumcised?: Gender and Covenant in Judaism" (2005) and "The Significance of Yavneh and Other Essays in Jewish Hellenism" (2010)http://www.google.com/search?q=josephus+in+the+gallillee+his+vita&btnG=Search+Books&tbm=bks&tbo=1#q=inauthor%3A%22Shaye+J.+D.+Cohen%22&hl=en&tbo=1&tbm=bks&ei=0TQBTtuHE4i00AHJg6DADg&start=0&sa=N&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=e53070380e3cb2a&biw=1280&bih=685.