Recent years have witnessed an unprecedented growth in the study of Jewish civilization throughout the world. Globally, over 1,300 universities and colleges offer courses on some aspect of Jewish civilization. Some universities in areas which had little contact with Jewish heritage, such as the former Soviet Union, the Pacific Rim, and Africa, are increasingly introducing such studies into their course offerings.

This volume addresses the challenge of developing courses of study about Jewish civilizations appropriate for different peoples in many parts of the world at the same time....