Joel Rosenberg

Joel Rosenberg is an Associate Professor of Biblical Literature and the Lee S. McCollester Professor of Biblical Literature at Tufts University's School of Arts and Sciences, Department of International Literary and Cultural Studies. He also serves as Director of Judaic Studies. Rosenberg holds a PhD in the History of Consciousness from UC Santa Cruz (1978), and BA degrees in Hebrew Literature (Hebrew Union College, 1968) and English (UC Berkeley, 1965).

His research bridges Judaic Studies, Film and Media Studies, and World Literature, with a focus on intersections between biblical texts and cinematic representation. Notable works analyze Jewish themes in early cinema (e.g., Méliès' L’Affaire Dreyfus), cultural identity in film (e.g., The Jazz Singer), and biblical interpretation through interdisciplinary lenses. He has authored multiple edited prayer books and contributed to scholarly volumes on Jewish cultural history.

Recent publications (2023–2011) explore topics like biblical narratives in film, Holocaust representation, and Jewish folklore's cinematic adaptations. Rosenberg teaches courses on Jewish cinema, biblical exegesis, and world literature.

Administratively, he directs programs in Judaic Studies and oversees Film and Media Studies initiatives. His academic service includes editorial roles and curriculum development in intercultural humanities.