46 | AUGUST 15 • 2024

A

t a large institution like
Michigan State University,
the Serling Institute for
Jewish Studies and Modern Israel
creates an academic home base for
students. From the
time I registered as a
Jewish Studies minor,
I found a welcoming
and supportive
environment. The
Serling Institute’s
faculty and staff are
dedicated to helping
their students succeed
academically and professionally,
providing guidance, mentorship
and resources tailored to their
individual needs and goals.
Students have found the Serling
Institute to be a place where their

curiosity is nurtured and their
academic pursuits are encouraged.
One of my peers, also a Jewish
Studies minor, Sydnie Bernstein
(Social Relations & Policy, James
Madison College), reflects,
“Throughout my undergraduate
career, the Serling Institute faculty
leaned into my curiosity. They

challenged my thinking as I was
exposed to the interdisciplinary
contexts of Jewish history,
literature, language and culture,
all while allowing me to veer into
distinct avenues of research and
discovery.”
Another recently graduated
student, Jewish Studies minor

and friend, Andrew Schulman
(Social Relations & Policy, James
Madison College), notes, “The
Serling Institute was an essential
component of my college career,
offering unique educational
programs, several scholarship
opportunities and a supportive
community to last far beyond my
time at MSU.”
The Serling Institute is
committed to advising Jewish
Studies minors each step of the way
through graduation. To support
academic pursuits, the Serling
Institute provides a dozen student
scholarships. The Levy Scholarship,
for example, supports academic
study or internships in Israel as
well as Hebrew courses while at
MSU. This ensures a preparation

for college students
by college students

Living Your Learning

Exploring Jewish histories, cultures, languages and Judaism at MSU.

Ben
Goldstein
jewish@edu
writer

Jewish Studies
students at the 2024
Spring reception

Andrew
Schulman

leaned into my curiosity. They

Sydnie
Burnstein