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Vanessa Ochs

Vanessa Ochs
Vanessa Ochs

Professor

E-mail:
Phone: 434-924-6722
Personal Website

Address:
Department of Religious Studies
PO Box 400126
Charlottesville, VA 22904-4126

Research Interests

Anthropology of Judaism, women in Judaism, material culture and the study of religions, new ritual, healing in Jewish tradition, literature of spiritual journeys, research in new Jewish rituals.

Education

  • Bachelor of Arts (BA), Tufts University
  • Master of Philosophy (MPHIL), Drew University
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Drew University

Current Research

I am working on two projects now, which are linked not only to each other, but to my previous work in the study of religion and material culture and the study of Jewish ritual innovation. The first project is a "biography” of the Passover Haggadah, which will be part of a series of “biographies” of canonical texts to be published by Princeton University Press. The second is a multi-year, multi-site ethnography of Jewish homes in America that answers a question I have long been pondering, “What—from the perspective of material culture—makes a Jewish home Jewish. I am fortunate that my teaching at UVA can intersect with these research projects and that my students are challenging me to see my materials from new perspectives.

Publications

Books

Chapters of Books

  • “A Traditional Table, Set for Innovation, ” Catalog essay for New Works, Old Story: 80 Artists at the Passover Table, ( Contemporary Jewish Museum of San Francisco: 2009 )
  • "Miriam's Object Lesson: Ritualizing the Presence of Miriam," in Women Remaking Judaism, edited by Riv-Ellen Prell (Wayne State Press (2007)
  • “Women and Ritual Artifacts,” in Women of the Wall eds. Phyllis Chesler and Rivka Haut, (Jewish Lights: 2003)
  •  Introduction to The Rituals and Practices of a Jewish Life: edited by Olitsky and Judson (Jewish Lights: 2002)
  •  “Jewish healing in the contexts of friendship in Talmud and ritual practice” in Take My Hand (Hadassah Department of Education: 2002)
  •  “ Women’s Studies and Jewish Studies ” in Hatishma Kol i (Yediot Ahronot: 2001)
  •  “The Contemporary Haggadah” and “Rituals of Mourning” in Religious Practices in America , ed. Colleen McDannell. ( Princeton University Press: 2001)
  •  “It’s a Small World After All, It’s a Small World After All, It’s a Small World After All, It’s a Small, Small World” in Disney and Religion , eds. L. Zoloth-Dorfman and S. Harak, (Oxford University Press: forthcoming)
  •  “Homecoming,” “Teamwork,” “Sustaining Family Ties,” “Balancing Feeling and Reason,” “A New Thanksgiving Ritual,” in Restful Reflections: Nighttime Inspirations to Calm the Spirit , eds. Lori Forman and Kerry Olitsky, (Jewish Lights Press: 2001)
  •  “We Knew the Deal” in Prayers for a Thousand Years , eds. Elias Amidon and Elizabeth Roberts, Harper SanFrancisco (San Francisco: 1999)
  •  “Not in My Backyard” in The Norton Reader (eleventh edition), (W. Norton and Co: 1999)
  •   “Tamar” in The Book of Women’s Sermons: Hearing God in Each Other’s Voices
  • ed. Eugenia Lee Hancock, (Putnam: 1999)
  •  "Reading Ruth: Where Are the Women?" in Reading Ruth , eds. J. Kates and G. Riemer (Ballentine: 1994)
  •  "Reading Torah" in Lifecycles , ed. Debra Orenstein (Jewish Lights Press: 1997)
  •  “Reframing Definitions of Continuity” At the Crossroads: Shaping Our Jewish Future . (Wilstein Institute of Jewish Policy Studies: 1995)
  •  "Taking Women's Diaries Seriously," in A Women's Diary Miscellany , ed. Jane Begos (Magic Circle Press:1990)

Edited journals

  • Guest Editor, volume 9: summer 2005. Jewish Women’s Spirituality for Nashim (Brandeis University/University Press of Indiana)
  • Guest Editor, volume 10: winter 2006. Jewish Women’s Spirituality for Nashim (Brandeis University/University Press of Indiana)

Edited books

  • Lashon Hakodesh: Holy Words (CLAL- The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership: 2000)
  • Shehecheyanu: Reaching Each Moment (CLAL: 1999)
  • Renew the Old, Sanctify the New (CLAL: 1998)
  • In the Name of Heaven (CLAL: 1997)
  • Torah of Life (CLAL: 1996)
  • These are the Words (CLAL: 1995)

Published Curricula

  • Cultural Inventory : An Introduction to Religion and Material Culture (CLAL: 1995)
  • Heal Us and We shall be Healed: A Course in Jewish Healing (CLAL: 1996)
  • The Outstretched Arm: A Comprehensive Course in Ancient and Modern Jewish Texts and Traditions in Jewish Healing ( CLAL:1997)

Essays and Articles in Jewish Studies

  •  “Home Shrine” Sh’ma June 2009
  • Sukkaman” World Jewish Digest, Oct 2008
  • "Differently Heroic: Virginia Tech” World Jewish Digest, Jan 2008
  • “Inventing Jewish Ritual”: a weeklong blog in Ha’aretz,  December 2007
  • "Stretching Tradition," Hadassah Magazine , December 2007
  • "Keeping the Faith without the Faith" World Jewish Digest, September 2007
  • “Lilith, then Miriam,” Secular Culture and Ideas 2007
  • "Where's the Love" New Jersey Jewish News, June 2006  http://www.njjewishnews.com/njjn.com/052506/nbtWheresTheLove.html
  • PDF document icon “Waiting for the Messiah, a Tambourine in her Hand” Nashim Spring 2005 (.pdf)
  • PDF document icon Introduction, Nashim 9 , Spring 2005 (.pdf)
  • PDF document icon Introduction, Nashim 10, Fall 2005 (.pdf)
  • “Ten Jewish Sensibilities,” Shma, Dec 2003, (with debates by scholars and educators) also made available on www.shma.com, www.clal.org, reprinted by Project Kesher in Russian
  • “Love and Intermarriage,” New Jersey Jewish News, (Oct 2003) JewishFamilyLife.com
  • “Miriam’s Cup” American Jewish Feminism (working title) edited by Riv Ellen Prell, ( Wayne State Pres, forthcoming)
  • “The Proper Blessing for Terror” Sh’ma December 2001
  • “When Jews Make End of Life Decisions” , Derekh CLAL on-line weekly webzine: 2001, Baltimore Jewish News
  • When We Become the Olden Days E- CLAL on-line weekly webzine , 2000, MetroWest Jewish News
  • “Power Beads and Torah” E-CLAL 2000:
  • “Jewish Life Along the Oregon Trail E-CLAL 2000:
  • You Are What You Hang E-CLAL 2000:
  • Walls Within Community E-CLAL 2000:
  • Interfaith Judaica: The "Kosher-Style Ketubah” E-CLAL 2000, The Forward (NY) August 2000, Ha’Artez ( Israel ) August 2000
  • “Va’yeshev” Beliefnet.com, December 2000
  • “Toldot” Beliefnet.com, December 2000
  • “Role Models for Jewish Girls, ” Sh’ma , March 1999
  • “What Makes a Jewish Home Jewish? ” Electronic Journal for the Study of Religion and Material Culture Spring 1999.
  • “What Makes a Jewish Home Jewish? ” Crosscurrents, Winter 2000
  • “The Jewelry of Jewry” in Sh’ma, Feb, 4, 1998
  • “Brave Hearts” The Outstretched Arm : Journal of the National Center for Jewish Healing, Fall 1998
  • "Shma Minah" Sh’ma , Fall 1997
  • "Home" Sh’ma, Spring, 1977
  • "Feminist Prayer," On the Issues , Spring 1997
  • "Not in My Backyard," Tikkun , Summer 1993
  • "Escape from Peril" Congress Monthly , Nov/Dec 1990
  • "Women Finally Decode Jewish Law" Lilith , vol. 15, no. 3, Summer 1990
  • "Jewish Feminist Scholarship Comes of Age" Lilith , vol. 15, no. 1, Winter 1990
  • "Words from Jerusalem ," Congress Monthly, July 1988
  • "Recollecting Bitburg" Congress Monthly , March/April 1987
  • "A is for Autopsy," Moment , November 1986
  • "A Guide to the Perplexed Jewish Woman" (with P. Ochs), Melton Journal , Summer 1985; Religion and Intellectual Life , Spring 1986
  • "Flying in the Face of Terror," Congress Monthly , Spring 1986, Syracuse Jewish Observer ,'86
  • "Prayer Symposium," New Traditions, Summer 1986
  • "Ripple Effect," Moment , October 1985
  • "Advertising the Holy Land," Syracuse Jewish Observer , Dec. 1984, Congress Monthly, Jan1985; Baltimore Jewish Times, Spring 1985
  • "The Case of the Islamic Museum, a Pretty Woman and a Balcony", Moment, April 1984
  • "Yavneh," Melton Journal , Winter 1983

Reviews

  • North of God by Steve Stern, for Hadassah, for  Hadassah March 2009
  • Emma Lazarus by Esther Schorr, for Hadassah 2008
  • Eternally Eve by Anne Lapidus Lerner, for  Lilith 2008
  • Houses of Study: A Jewish Woman among Books by Ilana Blumberg, for Nashim 2008
  • New works on Jewish marriage and divorce (Netter, Olitsky and Jungreis) for Sh’ma , Summer 2003
  • The Blessing of a Skinned Knee by Wendy Mogel, Beliefnet.com , December 2000
  • How to be a Jewish Parent by Anita Diamant and Karen Kushner for Beliefnet.com December 2000
  • The Nine Commandments by David Noel Freedman for Beliefnet.com October 2000
  • Being Jewish by Ari Goldman for The Forward, October 8, 2000, Ha’aretz, October 8, 2000
  • My Gradfather’s Blessings by Rachel Naomi Remen for Beliefnet.com August 2000
  • String of Pearls by JoAnna Lund for Beliefnet.com , August 2000
  • A Place Like Any Other by Molly Wolf for Beliefnet.com , August 2000
  • Crossing Brooklyn Ferry by Jennie Fields for New York Daily News , July 1997
  • Schoolgirls , by Peggy Orenstein for Newsday , 1994
  • In the Wake of the Goddesses , by Tikva Frymer-Kensky for Congress Monthly , 1993
  • Four Centuries of Women's Spirituality , edited by Ashton and Umansky for Journal of Religious Studies , 1993
  • Daughters of the King , edited by Haut and Grossman, Congress Monthly , January 1993
  • The Way We Never Were by Stephanie Coontz for Newsday, October 4, 1992
  • Deborah, Golda and Me by Letty Cottin Pogrebin for Moment , February 1992
  • After Great Pain by Diane Cole for Newsday , January 5, 1992
  • Women in Time and Torah by E. Bekovits for Congress Monthly , January 1992
  • Hilary's Trial by J. Groner for Newsday , May 1991
  • Latecomers by A.Yarrow for Newsday , Feruary 1991
  • Crisis and Covenant by Alan Berger, Congress Monthl y, February 1988
  • Women and Religion in America , vol. 3 edited by Reuther and Keller, Women's Review of Books, February 1987
  • A Leak in the Heart by Faye Moskowitz in Congress Monthly , Nov-Dec 1985
  • Norton Anthology of Literature by Women edited by Gilbert and Grubar in
  • The Bookwoman , Summer 1985
  • Damaged Goods by Thomas Friedmann, Congress Monthly , July-August 1985

Magazine, journal and newspaper articles

  • "Recycled" New York Daily News , August 1997
  • "Taking the Cure," Tikkun , March-April 1995
  • "It's All Relative," Woman's Day , April 1994
  • "Whiplash: It's No Laughing Matter," Woman's Day , Jan. 1994
  • "Water Play," Child , 1993
  • "L'Chaim," Woman's Day , Dec. 1993
  • "Taking the Teens," Woman's Day, Dec. 1993
  • "Simplify Your Life," Woman's Day, Sept. 1992
  • "Kids Pitch in," Woman's Day , Sept. 1992
  • "Children Who Follow, Children Who Lead," Redbook , October 1992
  • " Get Your Kids to Pitch In," Woman's Day , September 1992
  • "Fight Right," Woman's Day , September 1992
  • "A Healing Hand: The Children's Health Fund," Woman's Day , February 18, 1992
  • "Joy Again," Woman's Day , December 17, 1991
  • "Magic from Madison Avenue" Child , March 1991; Syndicated by the New York Times
  • "Giovanni's Last Chance" Scholastic Voice , November 1990
  • "Why Free Play Has Become Passe" Child , August 1990
  • "Floor Time" Child , June/July 1990
  • "Loving Care: Just What the Doctor Ordered," Traditions Spring 1990
  • "Should Your Son Play with Dolls--and Your Daughter with Hot Wheels?" Child , Jan-Feb 1990
  • "How Many Toys Does a Kid Really Need?" Child , Nov-Dec 1989
  • "The TV Advantage," Child, May-June 1989
  • "Confessions of a Former Nature Girl," Woman's Day, January 1989
  • "Color Me Convinced," Woman's Day, October 1987
  • "What Mother Told Me About Kids," Bride's , June/July 1987
  • "Illusions Inspired by a First House," New York Times , June 7, 1987
  • "Keep the Change," Woman's Day , June 1987
  • "Classy Mothering," Woman's Day, May 1987
  • "Cranberries," New Haven Advocate , November 1986
  • "In Praise of Snow White," Woman's Day, August, 1986
  • "Mother of the Bride," Woman's Day , May 1986
  • "Taking Women's Diaries Seriously," Women's Diaries, Spring 1985
  • "Ode to a House with Naked Windows," Syracuse Herald Journal, Feb. 1985
  • "Sour Cherries," New York Times, May 9, 1984; Choice Listening Spring 1984
  • "Aspects of Transformation," IWWG Symposium Monograph #3, July 1983
  • "On Inspiration, or Off It," IWWG Symposium Monograph #2, July 1982

Fiction

  • "People Suspect She Is Either On Drugs Or A Member of A Cult," Sun Dog: The Southeast Review, Fall 1987
  • "Chanuka Clock," Woman's Day, December 3, 1985
  • "Panama Hat," Woman's Day, September 1985
  • "The Mothers' Goose," Woman's Day, May 1985; Talking Book Magazine of the Month (Library of Congress)
  • "Naming," Wooster Review , Fall 1984
  • "Birds: Life After College," Classes (Sarah Lawrence Alumni Publication)Spring 1983
  • "Epistle from Sister Deirdre," Croton Review , Spring 1982
  • "Get me to a Nunnery," Moment , December 1981
  • "Brothers Musser," Face of the Sage, Fall 1980

Honors/Research Awards

  • 2009 Summer Research course development grant: Posen Foundation/UVA  for “Passover Haggadah”
  • 2008 Research Support in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences grant from the UVA College of Arts & Sciences and the Office of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies
  • 2008 Summer Research course development grant: Posen Foundation/UVA  for “Jewish Weddings”
  • 2007 National Jewish Book Award for "Inventing Jewish Ritual"
  • 2007 Brandeis-Hadassah Institute Senior Research Award
  • 2006 Summer Research course development grant: Posen Foundation/UVA  for “Exhibiting Jews: Jewish Museums and Monuments”
  • 2004: Brandeis University Grinspoon Fellow
  • 2000 AJPA Simon Rockower Award , Honorable Mention of the Noah Bee Award for Excellence in Editorial Writing Sh'ma 1999
  • 1994-95 CLAL Dorot Fellowship
  • 1991-92 National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in Literature (non-fiction writing)
  • 1990 Words on Fire : nominated for the National Jewish Book Award in Jewish Thought
  • 1983 Performing Arts Repertory Theater (NYC) award for contributions to young people's theater
  • 1982 Colgate University Research Council Grant for performances of Anne Sexton’s "Transformations" in U.S. and Israel , co-sponsored by U.S. Embassy in Israel
  • 1982 CAPS Playlending library

Recent Public Lectures/Readings/Papers Presented (since 1998)

  • November 2009: Scholar in Residence, Adas Israel Congregation, Washington, DC
  • October 2009: Silver Scholar in Residence, Temple Tifereth Israel, Cleveland Ohio
  • May 2009: Smith Family Scholar in Residence, Beth Jacob Congregation, Minneapolis, MN
  • April 2009: keynote speaker: “Religion and Identity,” department of Religion, Northwestern University
  • March 2009: “Creating New Women’s Prayers,” Conference on Jewish Women’s Prayer,” an interdenominational conference sponsored by JTS, HUC, RRC and JOFA, New York City
  • January 2009: “The Creative Process and New Ritual” Hebrew College, Boston, MA
  • January 2009: Something Old, Something New” Northeastern University, Boston, MA
  • December 2008: “The Traditional Commitment Ceremony” AJS, Washington, DC
  • November 2008: Keynote speaker, “Why Some Rituals Endure,” “Same Sex Jewish Weddings” Klutznick-Harris Conference on Rites of Passage, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska
  • November 2008: Scholar in Residence, Women’s League of Conservative Judaism Biennial Conference, Detroit
  • May 2008, “Practices of Reading,” Providence, RI Board of Jewish Education
  • February 2008: “New Jewish Ritual,” “Feminist Midrash,” Limmud Conference, Los Angeles
  • January 2008, “Women and New Jewish Ritual,” Brandeis University
  • October 2008: “Feminist Midrash”, American University
  • June-February 2007-2008 National book tour for Inventing Jewish Ritual
  • Jan 2007:  CAJM.  “Ethnographic vs. Curatorial practices”
  • April 2007: UVA Teaching Resource Center panel “Writing for the Public”
  • Spring 207: UVA Jewish Studies Workshop, “Wedding Booklets as Sites of Negotiation”
  • Spring 2007: UVA Scripture, Interpretation and Practice Workshop, “Intentionality as Religious Practice”
  • June 2006, Guest lecturer, JTS Faculty Retreat
  • June 2006, keynote speaker “Reclaiming Mikveh Conference”, Boston , Mass
  • January 2006, Scholar in Residence, JCC Atlanta ,Georgia
  • December 2005, Guest lecturer, Temple Beth Shalom, Fairfax , VA
  • November 2005 “Popularizing our Scholarship” AAR
  • November 2005 Guest lecturer: Wittenburg University, Springfield Ohio ,
  • March 2005 Scholar in Residence: Congregation Kol Ami, White Plains , NY
  • March 2005 Guest Lecture on Jewish feminist responses to the Holocaust, Divinity Faculty, Cambridge University
  • December 2004 Guest lecturer: University of Indianapolis , Indianapolis
  • November 2004 Scholar in Residence: Germantown Jewish Center, Philadelphia , PA
  • November 2004 Guest lecturer: JCC, Cherry Hill , NJ
  • November 2004 Guest lecturer: Christopher Newport University , Newport News , VA
  • November 2004 Guest lecturer: UJC Women’s Division, Virginia Beach , VA
  • January 2004: Invited participant: Osher seminar at Hartman Institute, Jerusalem
  • January 2003: Invited participant: Osher seminar at Hartman Institute, Jerusalem
  • “Jewish Women’s Spirituality” Norfolk , VA UJC conference on Jewish Women, Feb 2003
  • “Jewish Dream Interpretation,” “New Jewish Ritual” University of Utah , March 2003
  • “Jewish Dream Interpretation,” National Havurah Institute Board, Princeton , NJ March 2003
  • “Jewish Dream Interpretation,” “New Women’s Rituals in Judaism” Colgate University , April 2003
  • “Miriam’s Cup” Symposium on Women and Judaism, Wayne State University , 2003
  • “Jewish Dream Interpretation,” Ten Jewish Sensibilities” Scholar in Residence: Congregations in Pittsburgh , PA and Birmingham , Alabama , April 2003
  • “Jewish Dream Interpretation,” Lishma Conference, NYC, September 2003
  • “Jewish Dream Interpretation” Mayan (Jewish Feminist Research Group) and Makom (Center for Jewish Spirituality at JCC of NYC) December 2003
  • “Jewish Perspectives on the Human Genome” Virginia Biotechnology Conference of Human Genomics, the Family and the Law. Oct 2001
  • “Jewish Sensibilities and End-of-life Decisions” (with Vicky Bravo) Spirituality in Healthcare: A Training Program for Professionals UVA Hospital/Chaplaincy/Center for Biomedical Ethics May 2001
  • “Encountering Jewish Perspectives on Spirituality and Healing: A Study of Talmudic Texts” Society for the Study of Theology (SST) Nottingham , England : April 2001
  • Jewish Public Forum Conference on Imagining the Jewish Future: Scenarios with GBN: symposium presenter (Global Business Network) ( New York ) Jan 2001
  • Council of American Jewish Museums/National Foundation for Jewish Culture 2001 CAJM conference Lecture: “Future of the Jewish Past” ( New York ) Jan 2001
  • Hartman Institute Conference on the Study of Sacred Time: symposium participant ( Jerusalem ) Feb 2001
  • “Jewish Women as Spiritual Experts” Jewish Federation of Tidewater Lecture: Spring 2001
  • “Jewish sensibilities and end-of-life decisions” with Vikky Bravo. Spirituality in Healthcare: A Training Program for Professionals UVA Hospital / Chaplaincy/ Center for Biomedical Ethics
  • Talmud Study (weeklong seminar) National Havurah Summer Institute August 2001
  • “Spiritual Perspectives on Rosh Hashanah” The Jewish Federation of Richmond : Sept 2001
  • “Reconstructing Jewish Ethnicity” in conjunction with the Jewish Museum of Pittsburgh exhibition “Encountering the Second Commandment”American Jewish Museum of Pittsburgh: Lecture: “Contemporary Artists and Jewish Feminist Strategies” Oct 2001
  • “How can the Abrahamic faiths get along?” UVA International Residential Center panel
  • “The Artistic Construction of ‘Rhoda’ as a Jewish Woman” The Jewish Museum (NYC) Nov 2001
  • “The Bar/Bat Mitzvah Candle-lighting Ceremony” AAR , North American Religions: November 2000
  • “ Judaism and Healing “ Washington and Lee University Jewish Studies Lecture 2000
  • “Material Culture in the Jewish Home” ABC Radio National “The Comfort Zone” September 2000
  • “Poetics of Talmud” (week seminar) National Havurah Committee Summer Institute August 2000
  • “Judaism and Healing Environments in the Context of Care for Elderly” Shalom Park Senior Staff, Denver May2000
  • “Rituals of Jewish Healing” Denver Rose Foundation: May 2000
  • “Women in Judaism,” “Food in Judaism” Denver , Colorado Jewish Federation executives and Young Leaders: 2000
  • “Jewish Spirituality” Saint Louis Board of Rabbis: Nov 2000
  • “Invented Traditions vs. Authentic Traditions: Reframing the Teaching of Judaism” Schechter Institute conference on the Impact of Women’s and Gender Studies on Jewish Studies, Jerusalem , June 1999
  • “It’s a Small World After All: Disneyworld and Pilgrimage” AAR , North American Religions: November 1998
  • “ Miriam’s New Rituals and Ritual Objects, AAR , Jewish Studies, November 1998
  • “What Makes A Jewish Home Jewish?” AAR , North American Religions, November 1998

Consulting:

  • Jewish Museum of Maryland, New York Jewish Museum
  • Religion and Ethics Newseekly (PBS) Consultant in Judaism, healing and spirituality (Spring-Fall 2000)
  • “Avodah: Jewish Ceremonial Art” Consultant for the development and evaluation of a traveling exhibit sponsored by the University of Southern California (June 25, 2000)
  • CLAL-The National Jewish center for Learning and Leadership: Consultant in Jewish ritual practices , Editing of the “Sacred Day series” (Spring-Fall 2000)
  • “Kach Yadi” advisor to Hadassah National Organization project in Jewish Healing and Friendship (Fall 2000)
  • Beliefnet.com columnist

National/International Service

  • Scholar-in-residence: UVA Hillel Birthright Israel January 2008 trip (80 students)
  • Board member: Hillel Foundation of the University of Virginia  
  • Advisory Board: UVA School of Medicine Spirituality and Medicine Curriculum
  • Professional Consulting Committee: UVA Chaplaincy Services and Pastoral Education
  • Board of Directors: International Committee for Women of the Wall (ICWOW)
  • Board of Advisors: Cross Currents/Association for Religion and Intellectual Life
  • Board of Academic Advisors: International Research Institute on Jewish Women/ Brandeis University/Hadassah
  • Contributing Editor: Sh’ma Magazine
  • AJS Perspectives Editorial Board
  • National Havurah Committee: Advisory Board
  • External Reviewer, Jewish Studies program, Colgate University

Previous Positions:

  • Senior Fellow, CLAL-- the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, New York, NY (1995-2001), Dorot Fellow, CLAL (1994-95)
  • Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Religion, Drew University (1993-1 997)
  • Adjunct Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Drew University (1990-1993).
  • Visiting Lecturer, English Department, Hebrew University (Spring 1988).
  • Visiting Lecturer, English Department, Yale University (1986-1987, Fall 1987).
  • Senior Lecturer, English and Writing Departments, Colgate University (1980 –1986).
  • Lecturer, English and Drama, University of Maryland European Division (1978 -79).

Visiting fellowships:

  • Research Fellowship; Frankel Institute, University of Michigan, Fall 2009
  • Visiting Fellow: Newnham College , Cambridge University Spring 2005
  • Visiting Fellow: Center for the Study of Religion, Princeton University Spring 2003