2008 Woodie Awards
Barry Eichler Returning Home to YC
Major Semitics Scholar to join YC, Revel faculties in the spring
Yoni Kaufman
Issue date: 9/4/07 Section: News
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In recent years, Yeshiva College has seen significant change and improvement in its Jewish Studies Programs. This year, Yeshiva takes it to a new level with the recent hire of renowned Professor of Ancient Near Eastern and Biblical Studies, Barry Eichler. Dr. Eichler is widely considered one of the top scholars in his field.
Dr. Eichler's major research interests focus on cultural interrelationships between biblical and ancient Near Eastern civilizations. His primary interest lies in the field of ancient law. Dr. Eichler will be teaching in YC and at Revel Graduate School during the upcoming spring semester.
According to YC Dean David Srolovitz, hiring Dr. Eichler helps set the tone for the Jewish Studies program. "His presence in Yeshiva College sends a clear message that we are at the highest level of scholarship in the field and that we are serious about bringing the fields' brightest stars to our undergraduates."
Dr. Eichler has always felt a special connection to Yeshiva and told The Commentator that he is excited about his return to Yeshiva College. When asked to name the main reason that prompted his joining the Yeshiva faculty, Dr. Eichler replied that he felt like he had never left. "My leaving Penn and returning to Yeshiva College fulltime is a personal homecoming and will enable me to pursue more biblically related teaching and research."
Dr. Eichler graduated from Yeshiva College and went on to earn his PhD from the University of Pennsylvania. Although he has served as a visiting professor on the Revel faculty several times, this will be the first time he will be teaching here fulltime.
In addition to his personal connection to Yeshiva, Dr. Eichler is responsible for the training of two YC junior faculty members, Drs. Shalom Holtz and Zelig Astor. Dr. Holtz taught several courses last year, his first year at YC, and Dr. Astor is returning to campus this fall after a year of research at Bar Ilan University in Israel.
Dr. Eichler's major research interests focus on cultural interrelationships between biblical and ancient Near Eastern civilizations. His primary interest lies in the field of ancient law. Dr. Eichler will be teaching in YC and at Revel Graduate School during the upcoming spring semester.
According to YC Dean David Srolovitz, hiring Dr. Eichler helps set the tone for the Jewish Studies program. "His presence in Yeshiva College sends a clear message that we are at the highest level of scholarship in the field and that we are serious about bringing the fields' brightest stars to our undergraduates."
Dr. Eichler has always felt a special connection to Yeshiva and told The Commentator that he is excited about his return to Yeshiva College. When asked to name the main reason that prompted his joining the Yeshiva faculty, Dr. Eichler replied that he felt like he had never left. "My leaving Penn and returning to Yeshiva College fulltime is a personal homecoming and will enable me to pursue more biblically related teaching and research."
Dr. Eichler graduated from Yeshiva College and went on to earn his PhD from the University of Pennsylvania. Although he has served as a visiting professor on the Revel faculty several times, this will be the first time he will be teaching here fulltime.
In addition to his personal connection to Yeshiva, Dr. Eichler is responsible for the training of two YC junior faculty members, Drs. Shalom Holtz and Zelig Astor. Dr. Holtz taught several courses last year, his first year at YC, and Dr. Astor is returning to campus this fall after a year of research at Bar Ilan University in Israel.