Career Pathways
Judaic studies at UConn is an interdisciplinary humanities major focused on Jewish history, culture, religion, and thought in broader historical and global contexts. Students develop skills in analysis, interpretation, and research while engaging key questions about culture, identity, and society.
Preparation for a Range of Fields
Coursework emphasizes close reading, analytical writing, and independent research. These experiences build transferable skills applicable to a range of professional settings, including public service, education, nonprofit work, and communications.
Graduates are prepared to work with complex information, engage diverse perspectives, and communicate effectively.
Skills Developed
Students develop the ability to:
- Analyze texts, historical sources, and cultural materials.
- Conduct research and construct evidence-based arguments.
- Communicate effectively in written and oral forms.
- Engage with ethical, cultural, and historical questions.
Graduate and Professional Study
Graduates pursue advanced degrees in law, social work, business, education, public health, and related fields, or enter careers in government, nonprofit organizations, and communications.
Where Our Alumni Work
Industries
Graduates pursue careers in:
- Law, government, and public policy
- Business and the private sector
- Education and academic settings
- Nonprofit and community organizations
- Media, journalism, and communications
- Social services
- International and global affairs
Organizations
Alumni work in various organizations such as:
- Government agencies
- Schools
- Nonprofit organizations
- Media outlets
- Private sector institutions across Connecticut, the Northeast, and beyond
Our Alumni in the World
Ted Lopatin
BA, Judaic Studies and Spanish, 2014
Ted Lopatin earned a BA from UConn in 2014 with majors in Judaic Studies and Spanish and a minor in Middle Eastern Studies. He later completed an MS in Translation (Spanish to English) at New York University.
He has worked in translation and language services and is currently an Audio Associate at Benchmark Education Company, where he contributes to educational content development.
David Kapplan
BA, Judaic Studies (Individualized); BSN, Nursing Science, 2011
David Kapplan earned a dual degree from UConn in 2011, completing an individualized major in Judaic Studies alongside a BSN in Nursing. He began his career as an intensive care unit nurse specializing in cardiac medicine at Hartford Hospital.
He later completed advanced training in nurse anesthesia and is now a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) practicing in Vermont.
Pamela Weathers
MA, Judaic Studies, 2013
Pamela Weathers earned an MA in Judaic Studies from UConn in 2013. She has contributed to the American Jewish Year Book as both an editorial assistant and contributing author.
Her work has also included website development, digital communications, and program promotion within a university-based Jewish studies center, supporting public engagement and academic outreach.
Reverend Thomas Drobena
MA, Judaic Studies, 2012
Reverend Thomas S. Drobena earned an MA in Judaic Studies from UConn in 2012, with a focus on Second Temple Judaism. During his studies, he received support to pursue modern Hebrew at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and served as a teaching assistant.
He went on to earn a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School and has served as a Lutheran pastor. His work includes mentoring students and engaging in interreligious teaching, particularly in the areas of rabbinic interpretation and midrash.
Chris Clarke
MA, Judaic Studies, 2004
Chris Clarke earned an MA in Judaic Studies from UConn in 2004. He works in academic librarianship as a Research, Teaching, and Learning Services Specialist at the Claremont Colleges Library.
He has also pursued doctoral study in Hebrew Bible at Claremont Graduate University, focusing on literary and form-critical approaches to biblical texts.
Dena Wachtel
BA, Judaic Studies and English, 2002
Dena Wachtel earned a BA from UConn in 2002 with a double major in Judaic Studies and English. She began her career in Jewish education and nonprofit management, working in the Russian Jewish community of Nizhny Novgorod through the Jewish Agency for Israel’s AMITIM program, and later serving as Director of Youth and Family Programs at a Conservative synagogue in Cincinnati.
She went on to earn graduate degrees in Religious Education and Jewish Nonprofit Management from Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion. She has held roles in alumni engagement and development and currently serves as a Project Manager at JESNA, focusing on Jewish education and communal initiatives.
Ilana Cone Kennedy, 2001
MA, Jewish Studies, 2001
Ilana Cone Kennedy earned an MA in Jewish Studies from UConn in 2001. She has built a career in Holocaust education and public history, developing teacher trainings, educational programs, and curricular resources.
She has held leadership roles at the Holocaust Center for Humanity in Seattle and currently serves as its Chief Executive Officer, advancing initiatives in education, remembrance, and community engagement.