Shmuel Shepkaru

Shmuel Shepkaru serves as Associate Professor and Schusterman Professor in Jewish Religious and Intellectual History at the University of Oklahoma's Department of History. Based in DAHT 305F, he specializes in Late Antiquity and Medieval Jewish History with extensive archival research in Hebrew and Latin sources.

Education:

• Ph.D. from New York University

Research Focus: Professor Shepkaru analyzes evolving patterns of Jewish martyrdom across 2,000 years of history, Jewish mysticism, and eschatological concepts. His seminal work Jewish Martyrs in the Pagan and Christian Worlds examines classical, rabbinic, and medieval Hebrew texts. Current research investigates the historical development of heaven and hell concepts.

Academic Engagement: He teaches specialized courses on martyrdom evolution, Israeli culture, and Jewish mystical traditions while presenting research internationally. Affiliated with the Schusterman Center for Judaic & Israel Studies, his work bridges religious history and intellectual traditions through rigorous textual analysis.