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Bennett Center for Judaic Studies

The Bennett Center for Judaic Studies is an academic center whose mission is to enrich the intellectual, cultural, and spiritual dialogue at Fairfield University, and to engage the Greater Fairfield community through its series of inspiring lectures and cultural events.

A group of seven people stand closely together, smiling warmly. They wear formal and semi-formal attire, exuding a friendly and celebratory tone.

28th Annual Jacoby-Lunin Humanitarian Lecture – Joseph Kanarek, David & Debby Zieff, Dr. Philip Eliasoph, Stav Shaffir, Robin Kanarek, and Dr. Yaron Ayalon.

Continuing the vision of Carl and Dorothy Bennett, the Center fosters learning experiences about and campus-wide awareness of Jewish history, ethical values, religious observances, and Israeli culture and politics. Looking forward, the Bennett Center aims to become the most active public-facing and academic center devoted to Judaic and Israel-related topics between New York and Boston.

The Bennett Center for Judaic Studies was founded in 1993 by a generous gift from Carl and Dorothy Bennett of Greenwich, Connecticut. Since the creation of the Chair in Judaic Studies that year, the Bennett Center has established a permanent and growing reputation in the Fairfield County community and beyond.

Today, the Bennett Center continues to engage the nearly 100,000 Jewish residents and their neighbors in Fairfield, New Haven, and other nearby communities. Through the Center, Fairfield University has demonstrated its commitment to building a bridge of understanding between the Jewish and Jesuit traditions.

The Bennett Center works in collaboration with the Judaic Studies program, the Center for Catholic Studies, Campus Ministry, local Jewish community organizations, the Quick Center, and more.

Read the Most Recent Judaic Studies Newsletter

Community, Tradition, & Connection

From the establishment of the Chair in Judaic Studies to an annual service in remembrance of the Holocaust, the Bennett Center for Judaic Studies has established a permanent and growing reputation in the Fairfield County community – reaching out to its 70,000 Jewish residents and neighbors – as well as so many others. Through the Center, Fairfield University continues to be committed to building a bridge of understanding between the Jewish and Jesuit traditions.

A Welcoming Home for Students

Fairfield University offers a safe and welcoming home to Jewish students. Our Jewish student population is small but growing steadily. We offer a welcoming environment for Jewish students; a rabbi on campus and shabbat services; a Judaic Studies minor with courses on such pertinent topics as Jewish history, Israel, and the Holocaust; Hebrew language instruction (fulfils the university’s language requirement and counts toward the Judaic Studies minor); and most importantly: A safe, welcoming environment on a beautiful campus that is a convenient train ride from Manhattan.

While Fairfield does not (yet) have a Hillel, there is a very active Jewish undergraduate student group, Kadima, which organizes events – including around Jewish holidays and other special occasions – and serves as a home-away-from-home for our growing community of Jewish students. Kadima also offers Shabbat and holiday dinners several times a semester.

Lectures

All lectures and events are in-person and open to the public. For more information, contact the Bennett Center for Judaic Studies at bennettcenter@fairfield.edu.

View all upcoming events

Recent Events On Demand

Video Poster

Forging Intellectual Bonds: Jewish, Christian, and Islamic Encounters in the Middle Ages

Scholar in Residence Lecture with Dr. Alan Verskin

Video Poster

Jewish Identity in Contemporary Morocco: Memory Reconciliation and Citizenship

The Joan and Henry Katz Lecture in Judaic Studies, presented by Aomar Boum PhD.

Video Poster

Journalists in Hell: Reportage in the Lodz and Warsaw Ghettos

2024 Holocaust Remembrance Lecture by Dr. Samuel D. Kassow.

Support the Bennett Center for Judaic Studies

A packed auditorium with people seated, facing a stage with a panel discussion at Fairfield University. The atmosphere is attentive and engaged.

Help Us Continue to Grow

Enrich the intellectual, cultural, and spiritual life of Fairfield University through lectures and cultural programs, and support our students via our Jewish Student Life Organization (Kadima), monthly Shabbat services and dinners, and the John Charles Meditz College of Arts and Sciences undergraduate interdisciplinary program in Judaic Studies.

Advisory Board

The Bennett Center’s advisory board, consisting of members of the community and Fairfield University faculty, is committed to the center’s mission, and meets regularly to advise and support the center’s operations.

Robin Bennett Kanarek '96, RN, BSN
Chair

Joseph Kanarek

Gerald Rosenberg

Marc Bennett

Dr. Yaron Ayalon

Dr. Patricia Behre

Doug Karp

Shelley Kreiger

Jonathan Plotkin

Rabbi Jim Prosnit

Sheila L. Romanowitz

Anita Rosnick

Barbara Salop '75

David Zieff

Peter Willner

Contact Us

Yaron Ayalon
Yaron Ayalon
Director of Judaic Studies | Professor, Religious Studies and Carl & Dorothy Bennett Chair
Maria King
Program Manager

Get In Touch

  • 1073 North Benson Road
    Fairfield, CT 06824

  • (203) 254-4000

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10 minutes
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60 minutes
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