(c) 2026 Elliot Pototsky
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: SU cutting Modern Jewish Studies major, among several academic changes
Elliot Pototsky: Changes are coming to several majors at Syracuse University.
Avi Berzofsky: It was still a little surprising.
Pototsky: Avi Berzofsky was not expecting Syracuse to announce it would be cutting nine humanities-based majors.
Berzofsky: It removes a lot of that integrity — a lot of that important structure.
Pototsky: He encourages people to take less popular classes.
Berzofsky: Even if you have the smallest interest, still sign up and enroll in all of these things.
Pototsky: In recent years, few students were enrolled in modern Jewish studies.
Josh Rajunov: It is a numbers game at the end of the day. It’s unfortunate, but it does kind of make sense.
Pototsky: For smaller programs like Modern Jewish Studies, reaching even 20 students can be a problem. But students say the impact goes far beyond numbers.
Rajunov: I would say, fight the University. Say that this is something you’re interested in majoring in.
Pototsky: According to Syracuse.com, the decision had to do with a review process that involved each program. But Josh Rajunov says the responsibility also falls on the students’ shoulders.
Rajunov: It takes numbers from them. It takes numbers from the Jewish Studies program to show the University that people are interested in this.
Pototsky: And Berzofsky says low interest should not be a reason to pass up on taking a modern Jewish studies class.
Berzofsky: Don’t let that stop you from wanting to learn more.
Pototsky: Even if it doesn’t sound like the most fun class.
Berzofsky: Don’t judge a book by its cover. The most boring classes on the surface may actually end up being your favorite one.
Pototsky: Elliot Pototsky…N-C-C News
SYRACUSE, NY (NCC News) — Syracuse University is sunsetting several academic programs, and for some students, the announcement was unexpected.
“It was still a little surprising,” said junior Avi Berzofsky, who enrolled in his first Modern Jewish Studies course, hoping to support the program.
The move is part of a broader effort to evaluate academic programs, but it has sparked concern among students who value the role these majors play on campus. Berzofsky, for one, said the cuts could have a bigger impact than just removing options from a course catalog.
“It’s important to keep this department alive because those who don’t learn history are doomed to repeat it, and those who don’t teach it are blind to the dystopia they set themselves up for,” he said.
Along with Modern Jewish Studies, Syracuse University is sunsetting eight other humanities-based programs. Students set to graduate in that field will be able to get their degree, but incoming students will not have that chance.
Following a months-long academic portfolio review, Syracuse discussed the practicality of majors with low enrollment, Provost Lois Agnew said in a statement.
(c) 2026 Elliot Pototsky
The University says a decision was made as it “attempts to remain financially sound,” according to Syracuse.com.
In recent years, some majors, like Modern Jewish Studies, have struggled to attract students. The Daily Orange reports that 100 programs account for just 20% of Syracuse University’s enrollments, highlighting the challenges universities face in maintaining less popular fields of study. Still, some students acknowledge the reasoning behind the decision.
“It is a numbers game at the end of the day,” said junior Josh Rajunov, who will eventually graduate with a minor in Modern Jewish Studies. “It’s unfortunate, but it does kind of make sense.”
While he recognizes the financial and logistical pressures universities face, Rajunov believes the conversation should not end there. Instead, he says students have a role to play in shaping the future of these programs.
“I would say, fight the University. Say that this is something you’re interested in majoring in,” he said.
(c) 2026 Elliot Pototsky
Rajunov also emphasized that enrollment numbers are often the deciding factor, meaning student interest and action can make a difference.
“It takes numbers from them. It takes numbers from the Jewish Studies program to show the University that people are interested in this,” he said.
Berzofsky echoed that thought process, encouraging students not to overlook less popular classes.
“Even if you have the smallest interest, still sign up and enroll in all of these things. Don’t let that stop you from wanting to learn more,” he said.
Berzofsky added that sometimes the most unexpected classes can leave the biggest impression.
“Don’t judge a book by its cover,” he said. “The most boring classes on the surface may actually end up being your favorite one.”