Student Stories

Ivar graduated from PSU in 2012 with a minor in Judaic Studies. After graduation, he taught high school-level English courses in Turkey and in Somaliland. During his college career he received the Cogan Memorial Scholarship.

After graduating in 2015 with a degree in Judaic Studies, Adam (Tsvi) Josephs went on to complete the masters program in Jewish education at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. He currently teaches fourth grade and middle school students at the Oakland Hebrew Day School in Oakland California.

Judaic Studies alum Beryl Elia Bessemer is the Online Fundraising and Engagement Manager for 70 Faces Media, the largest Jewish media organization in North America. Previously she worked as Associate Director of Donor Stewardship at American Jewish University. 

Tanya Huyard recently did an internship at Israel Story, a podcast that is often called the Israeli version of “This American Life.” She says "I very much value my JST degree and I’m really glad I was required to learn Hebrew. I think about it almost every day that my knowledge of Hebrew opens a door."

Maddie is living in Israel. After graduation she entered the Masa Israel Teaching Fellows program. She says, “I teach and tutor mostly 4th-6th grade The work is very rewarding as many of them are eager to learn and improve their English." As for my Hebrew, I have a working proficiency and high comprehension. 

Max Blust graduated June 2020 with a minor in Judaic Studies and a major in Political Science. He did a summer course at the Netherlands Honors Institute on Holocaust Remembrance Study in Groningen, Holland, and a Sara Glasgow Cogan Memorial Internship with the Oregon Jewish Museum. His work was recognized in PDX Scholar.

Judaic Studies major, Logan Lawrence is recipient of the Harold Schnitzer Family Scholarship (2018 onward), and recipient of the Aspen Mitzvah scholarship for Hebrew language study. Logan transferred to Portland State University in the fall of 2017. He graduated in June 2020.

After earning his B.A. in Judaic Studies, Alex founded Adir Learning, a Jewish educational consultancy. Alex has also been working as Religious Enrichment Specialist at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center day camp in Portland Oregon.

Megan is pursuing a Masters degree in Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Kean University. She says, "I’m so happy to have had such a wonderful experience at PSU’s Judaic studies department because I feel so prepared for these conversations. Half of the sources we’re covering I’ve already read in one of my JST undergrad courses.

Sarah Rohr majored in Judaic Studies and received the Harold Schnitzer Family Scholarship. She graduated in June 2020.

Judaic Studies Minor and Liberal Arts Major, Rachael Walkinshaw, received the Sara Glasgow Cogan Memorial Scholarship/Internship at the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education (OJMCHE) in 2018. Rachael graduated in June 2020. Currently she serves as Education Director at Shir Tikvah in Portland.

Ezra Saville started at PSU in fall 2019 as a transfer student. A Judaic Studies major, Ezra received the Harold Schnitzer Family Scholarship and The Lois Berlin, John May, Ida & Sam Shleifer Endowed Scholarship. In 2023 Ezra goes to Gratz College, Philadelphia, for a Master of Education program in Jewish Instructional Education.