Jay was born in Philadelphia, PA on March 22, 1938, to Belle and Jules Holstein. He earned an A.B. degree cum laude with Distinction in Philosophy from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. He then moved to New York City to attend Hebrew Union College where he earned a B.H.L, a M.A., and was ordained as a rabbi. He subsequently earned a Ph.D. from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, OH.
Jay spent his entire academic career at the University of Iowa, arriving in Iowa City in 1970 to join the faculty in the School of Religion as an Assistant Professor of Judaic Studies. In 1982 he was appointed the first J. J. Mallon Chair of Judaic Studies and in 2007 he was appointed the J. J. Mallon Teaching Chair of Judaic Studies. In 2020 he was honored by the University of Iowa for his 50 years of teaching with a program entitled "Jay Holstein: A Golden Legacy of Learning". He retired from the University of Iowa in 2022 but continued to teach online courses as an emeritus professor.
Jay was a dynamic teacher of undergraduate students. For decades, Jay easily filled Macbride Hall Auditorium each semester with more than 800 students, teaching courses such as Quest for Human Destiny. These courses would have long waiting lists, but few spots opened and it was unusual for less than 800 students to remain enrolled for final grades. He received numerous awards for his teaching throughout his career, including the President and Provost's Award for Teaching Excellence in 2014. In 2010 he was the focus of the documentary "Professor." One estimate is that he touched the lives of over 60,000 undergraduates during his teaching career.
Jay had a passion for teaching the Hebrew Bible, and in one way or another, the Hebrew Bible was at the center of every course he taught. His courses explored Judaism and the Hebrew Bible, pushing to understand the nature of what it means to be human and how we engage with each other and the natural world. His high-energy lecture style, peppered with cultural references and obscenity, all while exploring the deep relevance of the Hebrew Bible and other literature, made it impossible for students to look away.
Jay died in Ames, IA on November 14, 2025, after a brief illness. He is survived by his children Sarah Holstein and Joshua Holstein, his friend and former wife Ellen Holstein, and his brother David Holstein. If you wish to honor Jay's memory with a gift, please donate to a cat rescue mission of your choice or to the University of Iowa Foundation Professor Jay Holstein Scholarship Legacy Fund.
Jay spent his entire academic career at the University of Iowa, arriving in Iowa City in 1970 to join the faculty in the School of Religion as an Assistant Professor of Judaic Studies. In 1982 he was appointed the first J. J. Mallon Chair of Judaic Studies and in 2007 he was appointed the J. J. Mallon Teaching Chair of Judaic Studies. In 2020 he was honored by the University of Iowa for his 50 years of teaching with a program entitled "Jay Holstein: A Golden Legacy of Learning". He retired from the University of Iowa in 2022 but continued to teach online courses as an emeritus professor.
Jay was a dynamic teacher of undergraduate students. For decades, Jay easily filled Macbride Hall Auditorium each semester with more than 800 students, teaching courses such as Quest for Human Destiny. These courses would have long waiting lists, but few spots opened and it was unusual for less than 800 students to remain enrolled for final grades. He received numerous awards for his teaching throughout his career, including the President and Provost's Award for Teaching Excellence in 2014. In 2010 he was the focus of the documentary "Professor." One estimate is that he touched the lives of over 60,000 undergraduates during his teaching career.
Jay had a passion for teaching the Hebrew Bible, and in one way or another, the Hebrew Bible was at the center of every course he taught. His courses explored Judaism and the Hebrew Bible, pushing to understand the nature of what it means to be human and how we engage with each other and the natural world. His high-energy lecture style, peppered with cultural references and obscenity, all while exploring the deep relevance of the Hebrew Bible and other literature, made it impossible for students to look away.
Jay died in Ames, IA on November 14, 2025, after a brief illness. He is survived by his children Sarah Holstein and Joshua Holstein, his friend and former wife Ellen Holstein, and his brother David Holstein. If you wish to honor Jay's memory with a gift, please donate to a cat rescue mission of your choice or to the University of Iowa Foundation Professor Jay Holstein Scholarship Legacy Fund.
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