| Vanderbilt Divinity School seeks applications and nominations for the Mary Jane Werthan Chair in Jewish Studies. The appointment will be made at the advanced associate or full professor rank beginning Fall 2022. The ideal candidate will be a scholar whose expertise and scholarship explores the variegated aspects of Jewish religious cultures of belief and praxis; is trained in one or more of the various historical periods of Jewish history; possesses the ability to teach Jewish theology, practice, and ritual with attention to having productive interreligious dialogue in the contemporary era.
This position continues our commitment to supporting leaders and communities in addressing complex religious, ethical, and social issues with some semblance of competence and empathy. As a Christian Divinity school, we acknowledge the close and special relationship between Judaism and Christianity and seek to continue to give Jewish Studies a significant place in our curriculums. Acknowledging both the Jewish roots of Christianity and anti-Semitism in Christian history, we are committed to promoting an ethical and healing dialogue between the traditions that foreground the rich histories and insights of Judaism. This includes dialogues within our immediate community of learning and developing stronger partnerships with Jewish Theological Schools.
While the primary appointment is in the Divinity School, this position will actively partner with Vanderbilt’s Jewish Studies Program, Department of Religion, and other appropriate interdisciplinary colleagues throughout the university. The appointment entails engaging with the four divinity degree programs (M.Div., M.T.S., Th.M., and D.Min.), which prepare students for ministry and public leadership, and the graduate department of religion (M.A., Ph.D.), which prepares students for teaching and research. One must have the ability and willingness to work in our masters-level concentration in Global Christianities and Interreligious Encounter.
Successful applicants will have completed either a doctorate or its equivalent focused on Judaism's history, theology, and practices, with considerable awareness of and commitment to the sociological, anthropological, and philosophical approaches to the field as conversation partners. Moreover, the candidate should possess a substantial publication record to demonstrate expertise in the area. We especially welcome applicants with experience teaching and mentoring students from historically underrepresented backgrounds in higher education.
Vanderbilt Divinity School has strong social justice commitments and highly values diversity among its faculty, student body, research, and teaching. Successful candidates will evidence commitment to these priorities and the capacity to teach religiously diverse students in an expansive range of vocational trajectories. (see: https://divinity.vanderbilt.edu/about/purposes.php).
The search committee will begin reviewing applications March 1, 2022. Cover letter, curriculum vitae, and three recommendation letters should be submitted via Interfolio at: http://apply.interfolio.com/101594. Applicants may establish a free Interfolio Dossier & Portfolio account. |
(posted 2022/01/24, listed until 2022/03/24)