UNC Jewish Studies Graduate Student Profiles
Stephanie Gaskill ∙ Carrie Duncan ∙ Ria Van Ryn ∙ Joseph Gindi ∙ Richard Benson
Stephanie Gaskill
While pursuing her Master's degree in History, Stephanie Gaskill became fascinated by the role religion plays in foreign policy decisions. Now in the Religious Studies department, Gaskill focuses on America's religious history."Carolina's program was a perfect fit for me because I am able to work with two incredible faculty members who are experts in my two main areas of interest."
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Carrie Duncan
From conducting archaeological digs in Israel and Jordan, to deciphering ancient inscriptions, to teaching undergraudates to read Biblical Hebrew, Carrie Duncan is exploring cultural idenities in the Middle East and sharing her work with Carolina's students.Oies to a group and culture that is not often exposed to it Publish Date: Winter 2011return to top
Ria Van Ryn
Sociology student Ria Van Ryn started teaching eigth grade Muslim and Jewish students as part of her research efforts on minority identity. The project evolvedteaching them about each other's traditions and valuesyoung students met face to face for a day that none would ever forget.The day of the workshop was one of the most fulfilling of my life. The kids were all so excited, and it was just amazing to see how quickly they connected. I've had nothing but positive reactions from the school communities as well as others around the country who want to learn more about the program Publish Date: Spring 2011return to top
Joseph Gindi
Upon learning that Professor Jonathan Boyarin had joined the Religious Studies department, Joseph Gindi started to seriously research graduate opportunities at Carolina. The more he learned, the more higion, anthropology of religion, and philosophy of religion. The Center for Jewish Studies has been an important, perhaps even essential, part of my graduate experience at UNC. First, it has helped bring new facuty members to campus. And second, through its many events, the Center has enabled me to connect personally with scholars from across the vast field of Jewish Studies. Publish Date: Spring 2009return to top
Richard Benson
The first ever meeting of the Jewish Studies Graduate Student Network brought together graduate students from across campus to connect through their shared interest in Jewish culture. At this first meeting were students from serval departments, including History, German Languages and Literatures, Religious Studies and Communications Studies, who came together to discuss two chapters of Richard Benson dissertation which focused on the stories of Martin Buber.The Graduate Student Network has allowed me to learn from students in diverse fields and has introduced me to a variety of questions that comprise the field of Jewish Studies. It has also taught me to make my own work accessible to people who don't specialize in German Publish Date: Spring 2009
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