Spotlight on Students

Samantha Sklar, a history major and Jewish Studies minor, wrote her senior thesis on the history of anti-Semitism in America. Anna Aronowitz, a double-major in art history and history, with a Jewish Studies minor, wrote hers on depictions of Jews in early 20th century Russian painting.

We’ve asked each of them to describe their experiences studying Jewish history during their time at Purchase.

Anna Aronowitz

During my four years at Purchase, my involvement in the Jewish Studies Program was one of the highlights. The multitude of classes that were offered were always so exciting, from ancient history to modern day Jewish-American history. Not only did I find a stronger connection to my own Jewishness, but I also found myself becoming more curious about my parents and grandparents, and their experiences as Jews.

The Jewish Studies Program helped me find a way to my own background, and inspired my senior project. My senior project began with a survey of Russian Jewish history from Catherine the Great up until the Revolution of 1917, before moving into an art historical component. I researched what day to day life was like living as a Jew in the Russian Pale, and tried to figure out what it really meant to be a Jew in Russia during the Tsarist regime.

I also focused on two Russian, non Jewish, neo-Primitivist artists, Mikhail Larionov and Natalia Goncharova. I explored why they focused on Jews in their works: Was it because they were seen as exotic? Because the Jews were different? Or did they want to showcase the oppression of Jews for all of Russia to see? Maybe all three.

Samantha Sklar

My senior project was called “Tracing Motives for Anti-Semitism Through American History.” I noticed that throughout American history, anti-Semitism was ever-present. It manifested itself in different ways in different time periods, but it usually spiked during times of crisis or conflict.

Anti-Semitism was different in America than it was in Europe. For instance, in the twentieth century, it was obscured behind excuses, with few instances of outward violence; whereas in Europe there was mass genocide. The comparison between American and European anti-Semitism shows that America, though different in means, was similar to its predecessors in motive: Jews would always be society’s enemy, with issues of potential disloyalty to one’s country sometimes used as an excuse. My project traced anti-Semitism through history: beginning with America’s origins to the present day BDS movement.

Beyond my senior thesis, as a Jewish Studies minor, I learned so much about Judaism from both a secular and religious stand point. It was so important for me as a Jewish woman in America to have this outlet in college, especially as I gained insight into myself and what the right way for me to practice Judaism was. Without the help of my professors and friends in the minor, I would not have had such a memorable and enlightening experience.