The Department of Jewish History and Contemporary Jewry is the oldest department of Jewish history in Israel, and was one of the first in the world. Its teachers include some of the best lecturers and scholars in Israel and the world, and reflect the political, religious and cultural diversity of Israeli society. The department strives to provide students with comprehensive knowledge of the history of the Jewish people, from biblical times to the present day, within the broader context of general history. Students are also taught historical and critical thinking, including the ability to comprehend complex and multifaceted processes in Jewish history, as part of world history.