The Karaite Jewish University is a non-profit corporation incorporated in
California, U.S.A., in November 2005 for the purposes of disseminating the study of
Karaite Judaism
Karaite Judaism () or Karaism (, sometimes spelt Karaitism (; ''Yahadut Qara'it''); also spelt Qaraite Judaism, Qaraism or Qaraitism) is a Jewish religious movement characterized by the recognition of the written Torah alone as its supreme ...
.
History
The university's first “Introduction to Judaism” class began in February 2006 and ended in May 2007. Ten of the graduates from the course converted to Judaism together with their children under the auspices of Congregation Bnai Israel of the Karaite Jews of America in
Daly City, California
Daly City () is the second most populous city in San Mateo County, California, United States, with population of 104,901 according to the 2020 census. Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, and immediately south of San Francisco (sharing its ...
, on July 30, 2007. These were the first official sanctioned conversions to Judaism according to the Karaite rite since 1465.
On September 2, 2007, the university awarded an Honorary Doctorate degree in Education to Mourad El-Kodsi, historian and author of ''The Karaite Jews of Egypt'' and ''The Karaites of Poland, Lithuania, Russia & Ukraine.''
El-Kodsi was named Dean Emeritus of the university whose function will be to mentor the university's graduate students.
Accreditation
Karaite Jewish University is not accredited as an academic institution. However, it has been authorized by the Council of Sages of Universal Karaite Judaism to teach an Introduction to Karaite Judaism course, both for
Rabbinic Jews wishing to affiliate formally with Karaite Judaism, as well as potential converts to
Judaism
Judaism ( he, ''Yahăḏūṯ'') is an Abrahamic, monotheistic, and ethnic religion comprising the collective religious, cultural, and legal tradition and civilization of the Jewish people. It has its roots as an organized religion in t ...
according to Karaite practice. Universal Karaite Judaism is the official body recognized by the State of
Israel
Israel (; he, יִשְׂרָאֵל, ; ar, إِسْرَائِيل, ), officially the State of Israel ( he, מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, label=none, translit=Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl; ), is a country in Western Asia. It is situated ...
as representing
Karaite Jews
Karaite Judaism () or Karaism (, sometimes spelt Karaitism (; ''Yahadut Qara'it''); also spelt Qaraite Judaism, Qaraism or Qaraitism) is a Jewish religious movement characterized by the recognition of the written Torah alone as its supreme a ...
in matters of
personal status.
See also
*
List of Jewish universities and colleges in the United States
{{Dynamic list
Jewish universities and colleges in the U.S. include:
* American Jewish University, formerly University of Judaism and Brandeis-Bardin Institute (merged), Los Angeles, California.
* Baltimore Hebrew University, now Baltimore Hebre ...
References
External links
Karaite Jewish UniversityFaith StrengthenedTeachings of Hakham RekhaviKaraite KornerTeachings of Gabbai Yochanan Zaqantov
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Egyptian-American culture in California
Karaite Judaism
Jewish universities and colleges in the United States
Jews and Judaism in California
Unaccredited institutions of higher learning in California
Educational institutions established in 2005
Egyptian-Jewish culture in the United States
2005 establishments in California