Study Abroad in the Czech Republic: Jewish Studies in Prague – Faculty & Staff

Jewish Studies Faculty

Jewish Studies program faculty come from Charles University and other prestigious institutions, such as the Czech Academy of Sciences, the Institute for Contemporary History and the Institute for the Terezin Initiative. During some terms, US faculty residing in Prague or local scholars affiliated with the Jewish Museum may teach a course or give evening lectures.

CET can provide faculty curriculum vitae upon request.

Jewish Studies Staff

CET maintains full-time, bilingual staff at each of its study abroad locations.

The Director of Prague Programs oversees academics by managing faculty, conducting faculty training sessions and regularly monitoring courses.

The Resident Director manages housing, local roommates, activities and student acclimation, health and welfare. S/he is trained to prevent and handle student emergencies.

Staff Bios

Kimberly Strozewski, Director of Prague Programs

Kim graduated with a Dual MA in History and Slavic Area Studies from The Ohio State University in 2001. Her historical research focused on the experience of Roma (Gypsies) in the Protectorate of Bohemia during the Second World War. While completing coursework towards her PhD in Central/East European History at the University of Michigan, Kim taught courses on the Holocaust and World War II as well as European History. She was awarded the Václav Havel Fellowship in Czech Studies in 2001, a FLAS Polish language fellowship in 2000, and a FLAS Czech language fellowship in 1997. She has lived and researched in Prague, Krakow and Budapest and has worked for International Human Rights organizations in the region. She likes to hike and ski in the Tatra and Krkonose mountains, preferably with a guide. Kim is dedicated to helping her students discover Prague and adjust to living in the Czech Republic.

Jarka Vitámvásová, Resident Director of Jewish Studies Program

Jarka comes to CET from Palacky University in Olomouc, where she studied history for her MA and Jewish History for her PhD. Her research is focused on the Holocaust, and she helped establish the Jewish Studies Program at Palacky University. She has also taught courses on Modern Jewish history. Jarka studied abroad at the Sorbonne in Paris. She has also worked as a tour operator and guide in the Auschwitz Museum. In her free time she likes traveling, going to the cinema and theater, yoga and in-line skating. Jarka enjoys welcoming students to Prague and introducing them to Czech – Jewish culture and life.

Jewish Studies Alumni

Hear what CET Jewish Studies program alumni have to say! Click here to contact a former student.

Academic Advisory Board

CET maintains an advisory board of US-based scholars. The Jewish Studies and Central European Studies Advisory Board helped design the program, and meets annually to discuss curricula and derive teaching standards. Board members visit the CET sites in order to evaluate programs and, when possible, conduct teacher-training sessions.

Justin D. Cammy
Assistant Professor, Jewish Studies, Smith College

David Danaher
Professor, Slavic Languages and Literatures, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Sara Dumont
Director, AU Abroad, American University

Rachel L. Greenblatt
Assistant Professor, Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University

Hillel J. Kieval
Gloria M. Goldstein Professor of Jewish History and Thought, Washington University in St. Louis

Jacob Labendz
PhD Candidate in Jewish History, Washington University in St. Louis
Former Prague Resident Director and Program Manager, CET Academic Programs

Olga Litvak
Associate Professor, History; Michael and Lisa Leffell Chair in Modern Jewish History, Clark University

Joanna B. Michlic
Project Director, Families & Holocaust Project, Hadassah-Brandeis Institute, Brandeis University

Antony Polonsky
Albert Abramson Professor of Holocaust Studies, Near Eastern and Judaic Studies, Brandeis University

Marsha Rozenblit
Harvey M. Meyerhoff Professor of Modern Jewish History, University of Maryland, College Park

Nicholas Sawicki
Assistant Professor, Art, Lehigh University

Hubert Tworzecki
Associate Professor, Political Science, Emory University

Tara Zahra
Assistant Professor, History, University of Chicago