A Legacy of Learning: Remembering Jay Holstein
The University of Iowa mourns the loss of Jay Holstein, a distinguished figure in the Department of Religious Studies, who passed away on November 14 at the age of 87. Throughout his 52-year tenure, Holstein captivated tens of thousands with his engaging teaching style, leaving an indelible mark on the institution.
Holstein’s journey at the University began in 1970 when he was appointed as an assistant professor in the School of Religion. His academic focus on the Hebrew Bible and the Jewish experience earned him the prestigious J. J. Mallon Chair in Judaic Studies in 1982, a title he held until his retirement in 2022. Holstein’s academic path was paved with accolades, including his ordination as a rabbi after earning an MA with honors from Hebrew Union College in New York City in 1966, followed by a Ph.D. from Hebrew College in Cincinnati in 1970.
Throughout his career, Holstein’s contributions to education were recognized with numerous awards, such as the President and Provost’s Award for Teaching Excellence and the Medallion for Distinguished Service. In 2020, the University of Iowa celebrated Holstein’s half-century of teaching with an event titled Jay Holstein: A Golden Legacy of Learning, drawing a record audience for his commemorative lecture.
Renowned for his dynamic and humor-infused lectures, Holstein’s classes were a staple in Macbride Auditorium, frequently attended by hundreds each semester, sometimes exceeding 1,200 students annually. Even after his official retirement, he continued to engage students through online teaching and was featured in the 2010 documentary Professor.
Paul Dilley, the departmental executive officer for the Department of Religious Studies, remarked, “It was a pleasure to talk to students taking Jay’s courses whose parents and even grandparents had recommended them. At the same time, he was deeply invested in first-generation students. In short, he played an important role in making the university and the Department of Religious Studies an engaging place for all who took his courses.”
This fall, Holstein demonstrated his unwavering dedication to education by teaching an asynchronous section of his esteemed course, Quest for Human Destiny. His friend and former wife, Ellen Holstein, will honor his legacy by completing the course for the semester, maintaining his commitment to students.
Reflecting on his passing, Ellen shared, “I had hoped he was one of the immortals, but it turns out it will have to be his students who carry his flame forward.”
Read Holstein’s full obituary and share condolences
A former student remembers Jay Holstein
Q&A with Professor Holstein from 2020
Read More Here
