Nathan Katz

Nathan Katz is Distinguished Professor in the School of International and Public Affairs, Emeritus, at Florida International University. He was the Founding Chair of the Department of Religious Studies, the Bhagwan Mahavir Professor of Jain Studies, the Kaufmann Professor of Global Entrepreneurship in the College of Business Administration, an affiliated faculty in the College of Medicine, Director of Jewish Studies, and founder and director emeritus of the innovative Program in the Study of Spirituality. He is also the Co-founder and co-editor of the Journal of Indo-Judaic Studies.
Dr Katz�s research spans the religious traditions of South Asia and focuses on Indo-Judaic Studies. He has written or edited fifteen books about Buddhism, Hinduism, and Judaism. His books include a memoir,Spiritual Journey Home: Eastern Mysticism to the Western Wall (2009), Who Are the Jews of India? (2000), which was a Finalist for the National Jewish Book Award,The Last Jews of Cochin: Jewish Identity in Hindu India (co-autor, 1993), Ethnic Conflict in Buddhist Societies: Sri Lanka, Thailand and Burma (co-author, 1988), and Buddhist Images of Human Perfection (1982).
He is currently leading a multi-year, international research project on the impact of �New Age� spiritualties, especially those of Indian origin, on the American Jewish community and on the State of Israel. The project is housed at the Van Leer Institute-Jerusalem and FIU. He also serves on the Board of SIvananda Yoga Ashram Bahamas, where he coordinates symposia on interfaith and spiritual themes.