610 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60605


Spertus Institute of Jewish studies is located in Chicago and is the premier college in the Midwest that teaches and awards degrees on Jewish studies. The Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies has saw many changes related to growth since it was founded as the College of Jewish Studies in 1924.

The school opened offering just three classes - in Jewish language, history and religion. Students could attend classes two nights a week and pay only $15 for all three courses. The school grew and within just two years, was offering diplomas to Jewish teachers and religious leaders. It became the first Jewish teacher Training School west of Philadelphia. By the end of World War II and through the 1960s, the school offered refugees of the Holocaust a place of employment. The school eventually morphed into Spertus College of Judaic and finally, in 1993, was changed to Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies.

Today, the school offers master and doctorate degrees in Jewish studies to about 300 students who enroll in their programs each year. Degrees available include: master of science in Jewish studies, master of science in Jewish education, master of arts in Jewish education, master of arts in Jewish studies, master of arts in Jewish professional studies, doctor of science in Jewish studies, doctor of Jewish studies.

Students may also enroll in distance learning courses. Degrees available in distance learning include: master of science in Jewish studies, master of science in Jewish education, doctor of Jewish studies and doctor of science in Jewish studies.

As well as offering courses for students eager to earn graduate and post-graduate degrees in Jewish studies, Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies offers anyone interested in learning about Jewish traditions and culture the opportunity through its museum and gallery exhibitions, collections and public programming. The Spertus Museum is home to more than 15,000 items in its permanent collections.

The Asher Library was established as part of the school in the 1930s and is now one of the largest Jewish libraries in North America. The Asher Library houses more than 110,000 Jewish print books, periodicals, movies and pieces of music. In addition, library users have the opportunity to access the Feinberg E-Collection, a unique ensemble of Jewish studies with more than 800 books and 25,000 articles.


Quick Facts:

Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies was the home to the first permanent Holocaust exhibition in North America when it established the Bernard and Rochelle Zell Holocaust Memorial in 1975.

The Asher Library has in its collection more than 1,500 rare books from the mid 15th to the 20th centuries, as well as rare and antique maps of the Holy Land.

The new Spertus building is state of the art and environmentally sustainable.

This school profile has been compiled and updated by The CollegeBound Network. The school is not affiliated with The CollegeBound Network and shall not be considered a sponsor of this program.