Articles
Faculty Spotlight: From Java to Jerusalem—Prof. Ronit Ricci
Since 2013, Prof. Ronit Ricci has spearheaded the development of Indonesian studies at Hebrew University—the only program of its kind in Israel. Her research explores the intricate intersections of language, literature, and culture across Southeast Asia and beyond. From interlinear translation to colonial exile, Ricci’s work is a testament to how cultures evolve across time and space.
Researcher Spotlight: The Stories Nature Tells—Dr. Naomi Yuval-Naeh
At the crossroads of history and science, Dr. Naomi Yuval-Naeh unearths fascinating connections—from early Zionist botany to Victorian fern culture and coal’s deep-time origins. As a historian at Hebrew University and historic curator at the National Natural History Collections, she bridges past and present, revealing how humanity’s relationship with nature shapes the world we live in.
Breathing New Life into Ladino at the Faculty of Humanities
In Summer 2024, Hebrew University launched Israel’s first-ever intensive Ladino International Summer School, led by Dr. Ilil Baum. Students from across the globe gathered to study this endangered language, celebrate Sephardic heritage, and engage with native speakers. Through immersive classes and study tours, the program proved Ladino’s legacy is far from forgotten, inspiring renewed interest in its preservation and revival.
Fresh Perspectives on Talmudic Scholarship
At the Faculty of Humanities, Dr. Avigail Manekin-Bamberger and Dr. Yael Fisch are redefining the study of Talmudic and Jewish texts. From exploring the intersections of law and magic in ancient Babylonian Jewish society to the interplay between Jewish and Christian interpretations of shared scriptures, their innovative research sheds new light on Jewish life, beliefs, and practices in late antiquity.
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