Matthew Kraus

Matthew Kraus is an Associate Professor of Judaic Studies at the University of Cincinnati, where he has held positions including Interim Department Head and Director of Hebrew Programs. His academic journey includes roles at Williams College and Wright State University, with a focus on the intersection of Jewish, Christian, and Classical traditions in Late Antiquity.

• Ph.D. in Classics from the University of Michigan (1996)
• Rabbinic Ordination from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (1991)
• BA in Classics from Harvard-Radcliffe (1985)

Kraus's research centers on biblical interpretation in Late Antiquity, Jewish-Christian dialogue, and the translational and cultural dynamics of the Vulgate. He explores how Jerome’s work reflects Jewish, Christian, and Classical influences, and examines Chanukah’s historical evolution and Reform Judaism’s theological foundations.

His publications span topics like the Vulgate’s intertextual relationships, economic approaches to American Judaism, and rabbinic influences on biblical translation. He has presented at international conferences on Jerome, Philo, and Jewish-Greco-Roman cultural interactions.

Kraus teaches courses including Women and the Bible, Dead Sea Scrolls, and Modern Hebrew, emphasizing pedagogical innovation and historical context.