Coursework
Genesis courses are developed in partnership with Brandeis academic faculty and staff. Students are in class for two hours/day, five days/week and are expected to complete all course reading, research and assignments.
Courses for Genesis 2025 are still in development. Last summer, Genesis students chose from one of the following three courses.
Judaism, Gender, Justice and Allyship
Instructor: Rabbi Mike Moskowitz
In this innovative and academically rigorous course, students will explore the ways in which Judaism, gender and justice intersect, overlap and sometimes come into conflict with each other. Using the excellent resources at Brandeis, a variety of traditional and modern Jewish sources, and the latest in gender theory and research, students will consider how to make the world a more just and equitable place for people of all genders, and how allyship can significantly motivate and engage us for good. Each student will also develop a capstone initiative on a particular topic of interest, with the intent to take their work beyond the summer and into their home communities. Join bright, curious and creative students from all over the world while diving into a fascinating area of study.
Justice Brandeis, Bread and Roses and Beyond: American Social Movements and the Jews
Instructor: Aaron Marans
Louis Brandeis, our University’s namesake, was the first American Jew to serve as a Supreme Court Justice and played a pivotal role in shaping American legal and social policy. Following in his footsteps, American Jews have served as leaders and community organizers in many of America’s most significant social movements, from the Labor Movement to Civil Rights and beyond. This thought-provoking course will explore the legacy of Justice Brandeis and how the American Jewish community’s engagement in the struggle for equality and freedom continues to influence American life today.
Becoming Themselves: Transformations in the Bible
Instructor: Rabba Wendy Amsellem
Our ancient Biblical ancestors went through some challenging, overwhelming, inspiring and revolutionary changes as they made their way through life. Their struggles and successes have woven themselves into the fabric of Jewish learning and life for millenia, and now it’s your chance to see them through your own eyes. In this thoughtful and introspective course, you’ll consider the lives of several unique and complex Biblical characters and how they evolved over their lifespan and truly became who they were meant to be. All texts are in English and no previous Jewish text experience is required.