The Elie Wiesel Center for Judaic Studies offers interdisciplinary programs in Jewish studies on the undergraduate and graduate levels. Undergraduate students from all BU colleges can pursue a minor in Jewish studies or take our courses as electives. Graduate students can affiliate with the Center. With more than 30 affiliated faculty from across the University, we offer courses in a wide range of disciplines.
Named for Elie Wiesel, the 1986 Nobel Laureate for Peace and a member of the BU faculty for nearly 40 years, we strive to maintain his legacy of excellent teaching and scholarship. We are particularly committed to the study of the humanities in a Jewish key, a mission we bring to the Greater Boston area through our public lectures and programs.
Research
The Elie Wiesel Center supports faculty research, academic conferences, publications and educational initiatives.
Arts and Culture
The Elie Wiesel Center serves as a Jewish cultural hub on campus, sponsoring public lectures, workshops and artistic productions.
Our History
Boston University has a distinguished history in Jewish studies, including visits from such luminaries as Gershom Sholem, Nahum N. Glatzer, Marvin Fox, Everett Fox and Michael Fishbane. From Eli Wiesel and the late Saul Bellow to current creative writing faculty Leslie Epstein and Robert Pinsky, Jewish authors have long been at home on campus.
The Elie Wiesel Center is housed in 147 Bay State Road, one of BU’s most elegant historical buildings. Constructed in 1899, the former Weld family mansion is now the Bet Shlomo v’Sarah Wiesel, named in honor of Elie Wiesel’s parents.
Community Support
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are able to offer scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students, including opportunities for study in Israel. Your support also allows us to keep our lectures, seminars and cultural events free and open to the public.
To learn how you can support Jewish studies at BU, contact professor Michael Zank, director, at mzank@bu.edu or 617-353-8096.