This July, join us for two special four-week studies designed to help you explore some of the most important and fascinating topics shaping biblical and modern Middle Eastern studies.
Dive deeply into Genesis and its ancient contexts or the historical foundations and current challenges of understanding Zionism through four engaging 60-minute online lectures led live by JUC instructors. These non-credit courses offer a unique opportunity to learn from experienced scholars, ask questions, and gain deeper insight into the historical, cultural, and theological contexts that continue to influence our world today.
Study Dates: 12 July - 6 August 2026
Genesis 1-3 and its Ancient Near Eastern Context |
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| Instructors: Dr. Oliver Hersey, Dr. James K. Hoffmeier, Dr. Richard Averbeck Lecture Day and Time: Thursdays, 12:00-1:30 pm (ET) |
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Studying the opening chapters of Genesis requires an examination of how people in the ancient world understood both themselves and their surrounding environment. Join us this summer as we explore cosmogony, God and his creation, human origins and relationships, the beginnings of evil, and the geographic realities preserved in Genesis 1-3. The course is a brief survey of these topics in their ancient Near Eastern context with the aim of deepening appreciation and understanding of God and His Word. Lecture Schedule:
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Understanding Zionism: Historical Foundations and Current Challenges |
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Instructor: Dr. Jonathan Kaplan |
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Zionism arose in the 19th century as a nationalist movement with the goal of ensuring the continued survival of the Jewish people in the face of challenges to its very existence: the loss of communal autonomy, the marginalization of Jewish identity, rising assimilation, and the growth of political and racist antisemitism. Though sharing a set of common ideas, various ideological streams within the movement professed divergent views on a wide range of subjects, and these evolved over time. Our course will explore these streams and critical issues, and survey current criticisms and proposed alternatives to Zionism in the wake of the War of October 2023. Lecture Schedule:
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Semester Dates: 18 May - 26 June 2026
Treasures in the Book of Joshua |
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| Instructor: Dr. Hélène Dallaire Lecture Day and Time: Mondays, 12:30-2:00 pm (ET) |
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This six-week course offers a focused and theologically informed study of the Book of Joshua. Beginning with Joshua’s mentoring under Moses, the course traces Israel’s transition from nomadic to settled life, explores intertextual relationships between Joshua and the broader biblical canon, and examines the entry into and settlement of Canaan within their geographical, historical, literary, and theological contexts. Students will engage major interpretive issues such as conquest traditions, land distribution, divine warfare, and ethical questions surrounding violence. The course concludes with a close reading of Joshua’s farewell speeches, highlighting covenant theology and leadership legacy. |
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The Land and the Logos |
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Instructor: Dr. Petra Heldt |
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Western theology has never just gazed from afar at the Land of Israel. It has wrestled with it, walked it, and written it into doctrine. From early pilgrimages to contemporary politics, this course maps how the Land of Israel has shaped Christian thought—and vice versa. Explore the sacred terrain where geography meets theology. |
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Biblical Women in Jewish and Christian Art |
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| Instructor: Dr. Shulamit Laderman Lecture Day and Time: Tuesdays, 9:30-11:00 am (ET) |
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Biblical stories do not often present the thoughts, feelings, and inner struggles of the heroes of the stories. This is particularly true of the women in these narratives. In the course, Dr. Laderman will take the class on a journey through Jewish and Christian artistic representations of Eve, Sarah, and Hagar, Rebecca, Miriam, Ruth, and Esther. These works of art will enable us to expand the biblical text and to delve into the emotional depth of these biblical heroines. |
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The Ark of the Covenant: A Biography |
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| Instructor: Dr. Chris McKinny Lecture Day and Time: Tuesdays, 10:00-11:30 am (ET) |
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Where is the Lost Ark? We can explore what the ancient Judeans believed about the Ark’s current location and its promised resurrection. A more important question, however, is “What is the Ark of the Covenant?” This question can be answered emphatically from both a biblical and an archaeological perspective. This course will address these two questions through an exploration of the “life” or “biography” of the Ark of the Covenant, or what I like to call the “incarnation of the Hebrew Bible.” |
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Finding Bethsaida: An Exemplar in New Testament Historical Geography |
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| Instructor: Dr. Steve Notley Lecture Day and Time: Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30 pm (ET) |
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Historical Geography found what archaeology alone could not. The preliminary five-year report of the work at el-Araj (Bethsaida) is moving toward publication. It has chapters on historical geography, Rabbinic literature, Roman roads, toponymy, and archaeology. Join Dr. Notley for insights into current developments on the ground. |
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Yes, we offer technical assistance through our North American office that operates from 9:00am-5:00pm Eastern Time. You are welcome to contact our team at support@juc.edu with your questions.
Yes! Each summer study is offered live at a different time, so you may register for as many as you would like.
There are no scholarships available for the JUC Online Summer Institute. However, we are pleased to offer these summer studies as our most accessible and affordable learning opportunity.
Lecture recordings may be provided at the discretion of each instructor for later viewing. Please be aware that the JUC Summer Institute is intended to be experienced online in live time.
Registration for 2026 July Series will open on June 8!
You won't want to miss these special 4-week studies taking place July 12 - August 6.
WHO: Open to All
WHEN: 12 July - 6 August 2026
PRICE: $129 per study
COURSE CREDIT: No Credit Offered
DEADLINE TO REGISTER: 7 July 2026
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