Assistant or Associate Professor of Modern Jewish History and Culture

About Hebrew Union College

Founded in 1875, Hebrew Union College is North America's leading institution of higher Jewish education and the academic, spiritual, and professional leadership development center of Reform Judaism.

HUC educates leaders for service to American and world Jewry as rabbis, cantors, experts in Jewish education, and Jewish nonprofit management professionals, and offers graduate degree programs to scholars and clergy of all faiths. With centers of learning in Cincinnati, Jerusalem, Los Angeles, and New York, HUC's scholarly resources comprise renowned library, archive, and museum collections, biblical archaeology excavations, and academic publications.

Mission

Hebrew Union College is North America's premier institution of Jewish higher education and the center for professional leadership development of Reform Judaism. A multi-campus academic and spiritual learning community, HUC builds vibrant progressive Judaism in North America, Israel and around the globe by:

• Studying the great issues of Jewish life, history and thought with an open, egalitarian, inclusive and pluralistic spirit;

• Educating innovative, visionary clergy and professionals who embody the sustaining values, responsibilities, practices and texts of Jewish tradition to inspire future generations; and

• Advancing the critical study of Judaism and Jewish culture in accordance with the highest standards of modern academic scholarship.

Hebrew Union College, Los Angeles Campus, invites applications for a tenure-track or tenured Assistant or Associate Professor position in Modern Jewish History and Culture, to begin on July 1, 2026.

Position Summary

We seek candidates with a Ph.D. in Jewish History. Specialties should include Holocaust and Global Antisemitism, and might also include the history, culture, and/or sociology of American; Sephardic, North African or Middle Eastern; or European Jews. Candidates must be able to offer a survey course in the Holocaust and courses on other aspects of Jewish modernity. Knowledge of the Jewish tradition and its texts, as well as proficiency in Hebrew, are highly preferred.

We are seeking candidates who are interested in joining a Jewishly diverse faculty and who possess top-notch training, a commitment to high-quality teaching, and a drive to contribute to their academic field, Hebrew Union College, and the broader Jewish world through their scholarship, teaching, and service.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Teach undergraduate students in the Louchheim School for Judaic Studies (at the University of Southern California) and HUC graduate students in the Seminary and Professional Schools (courses will be taught in person and online with students from our other campuses);
2. Produce scholarship that contributes positively to the field of Jewish studies;
3. Work collaboratively and collegially with faculty on all HUC campuses;
4. Participate in and contribute to the communal and religious life of a Reform Jewish seminary;
5. Participate in public engagement.

HUC Employee Benefits

Hebrew Union College recognizes employees as one of the most valuable assets to the success of the college. That is why we make it our highest priority to offer a competitive benefits package. Some of those benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Life Insurance, Long Term Disability
• Retirement Savings Plan -403b
• Paid National and Jewish Holidays
• Paid Vacation and Sick Day
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition Remission Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Ability to work from home and office

Education

• Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Jewish History or closely related field required by the time of appointment (July 1, 2026).

Experience

• Demonstrated expertise in Holocaust Studies and Global Antisemitism, with additional specialization in one or more of the following:

  • American Jewish history, culture, or sociology

  • Sephardic, North African, or Middle Eastern Jewish history and culture

  • European Jewish history and modernity

• Evidence of excellence in university-level teaching, including ability to teach:

  • A Holocaust survey course, and

  • Broader courses in Modern Jewish History and Culture.

• Active scholarly record or clear potential for publication and research impact in Jewish Studies.

• Proficiency in Hebrew highly preferred; familiarity with classical and modern Jewish texts expected.

• Experience working within diverse, collaborative academic environments, ideally in Jewish, interfaith, or higher education settings.

• Commitment to the mission and values of Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion and participation in the academic and communal life of the institution.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong teaching, mentoring, and presentation skills in both in-person and online learning environments.

• Ability to integrate academic rigor with HUC’s pluralistic and inclusive mission.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.

• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and respect for diverse perspectives and backgrounds.

Technology

• Familiarity with academic learning platforms (e.g., Canvas, Zoom, Microsoft Teams).

• Ability to work with digital research tools, library databases, and collaborative academic platforms.

Salary Range

$75,000 – $110,000, commensurate with rank, qualifications, and experience.

Application Instructions

Applicants should submit the following materials:

1. Cover letter outlining scholarly interests and teaching experience;

2. Curriculum vitae;

3. One or more published articles and/or chapters of a dissertation (up to 25 pages);

4. Names and email addresses of three referees who can speak to scholarship and teaching.

Initial deadline for applications: December 10, 2025.
Applications will be reviewed immediately and accepted until the position is filled.

Inquiries:
Professor Karen Skinazi, Chair of the Search Committee
Email: kskinazi@huc.edu

Hebrew Union College is an Equal Opportunity Employer, a drug-free workplace, and complies with all ADA regulations as applicable.