Amazing Professor

The best teacher ever. The heart and soul of The University of Iowa.

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Yeah, he's clear, but that's pretty easy when you tell your class that everything you write on the board will be on the test. So it wasn't so difficult to follow along. But damn, don't let him catch you sleeping. Trust me on this one

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He is a crazy **** that yells alot and is very funny........he recently stopped cussing which is a down point, but besides his crazy ass stories you can actually get some of the information he tries to get across if you can keep up with how fast he is

hilarious guy, and you actually remember what he says in lectures because it is interesting just listening to what he has to say whether it is intelligent or not. if you go to the U of I, a holstein experience is a must.

Best professor at the UofI. Very knowledgable and funny. Makes learning fun. He will go out of his way to make sure you learn the material.

He LOVES himself, he's a good prof, and he thinks he is the best prof. makes class easy to go to, teaches the easy stuff, not very challenging but can be interesting. If you can get in his class, take it for ease.

Professor Holstein is the best teacher many of us have ever had. He teaches religion at a level that most people aren't bright enough to comprehend, which is why some don't like him. Only the ignorant or humorless student will say anything bad about him.

Smart guy but not always right with his opinions. One of the best at Iowa.

Summer session was great with smaller number of students

When you take his classes you learn alot.

Holstein is hillarious! Out of all the lectures I had this semester his was the only one I stayed awake through. I also learned a lot. :)

very funny

Sometimes he can be pretty innapropriate, but he is very clear on his points in his lectures.

he is great

best teacher ever

The most sought after classes at Iowa are taught by this man.

Hilarious, if its possible to take a class taught by him, take it no matter what you think of the discription, if you arent a **** you will love it.

if you are a bumbler you may find that this class will get you to think. definatly recommend a class with holstein, keep an open mind!

Best Prof on campus.

essays require knowledge of excessive details

He's hot

really funny guy, makes lecture fun, really full of engergy, engages the class, very knowledgeable and presents different viewpoints, however made us read his book that he admits was bad.

Best Lecturer at Iowa!! Lectures are very funny, and enjoyable. Sometimes he may be anti-Christian, but he is a rabbi.

Hilarious, lectures are very interesting.

He is so interesting and fun and it's only my second day in his class.

Very intense, a little abrassive, but an amazing teacher. I would highly recomend him to anyone. Additional little side stories always seem to fit into the lecture. He knows his stuff!

Lectures are engaging and easy to follow.

Energetic

hot damn! give this man a chili pepper!

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First half (Holstein's) is very enjoyable and entertaining, and you'll definitely come out of it learning something.

Great teacher, very interesting. Provided you can learn with a bunch of random(though) asides, not straightforward at all, and be able to look beyond just being force fed material you can learn a lot of interesting material.

obviously you didnt have a class with holestein this summer, bc i was in it, and he didnt objectify women. Grind your axe somewhere else

awesome professor, best out of the whole university

this man is not hot he is on fire, he needs two chilli peppers!

very funny, you will not want to miss his lectures!

Prof. Holstein is fabulous! He is a 60-year old man in a 20-year olds body!!

One of the best Professors I have ever had. I look forward to going to his class everyday!

He is great! Any class that he teaches is highly recommended. He really makes learning fun and interesting.

Wonderful teacher. He has a great outlook on how people should learn. I look forward to class every time even if it is at 3 on Fridays!

Simply a great teacher...forces you to examine things yourself. You will want to go to class everyday, I promise.

His lectures are very easy to listen to!

Really funny man. I enjoyed his book, although it wasn't all that challenging. Seems a little bitter about some things. But overall a very good class!

Holstein is a wonderful professor. His class was very insightful and he has an excellent, unique way of presenting lectures.

Jay is a great teacher. I could not be more grateful to have a teacher who is interested in the material and able to project it well.

His lectures were entertaining, but I didn't feel like I really learned that much about the tradition of Judaism. It was mostly just anecdotes about his life as a Jew. Hard to know what to study for the tests.

I love Holstein. I want to have his baby...and I am a guy.

Good class, very interesting. If you like putting everything you read from the Bible in the gutter (and I mean think dirty people... dirtier... ok, you're close) then this is the class for you.

The best professor I ever had.

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I have learned more from this professor than any other in the department. If you don't understand the exams (as many on here seem to complain about) you don't belong in undergraduate school.

Holstein is perhaps the best professor I have ever had- if you don't like the tests, you're a moron. Anyone can do well in this class if they pay attention. And the information he passes along is incredibly insightful, and very useful- I literally use it all the time. Holstein is one of the reasons I love going to U of I. <3

I love coming to the lectures just to listen. He is extremely knowledgeable, well after all he has a PhD, and don't forget it.

One of my all-time favorite professors. The class was entertaining, interesting, and Professor Holstein is awesome. Loved it.

Amazing professor. His classes are interesting and very worthwhile. He'll make you question everything.

I think that this class seems difficult and he tries to intimidate- but if you get past that and just study and pay attention you cant do that bad. and if you dont want to get picked on sit at the top like i do! Plus I think Holstein is halirous. hes kinda cute too!

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Wow, I miss this guy. He is a showman and an intellectual and a comedian. He knows his Gibborim and his Blade Runner. He'll make you mad and laugh at the same time. His work on Martin Luther stuns classes. I learned a lot from him and so will you.

One of my favorite teachers ever. He's hilarious. Didn't even like the subject much, but he made me interested. You will love love love a class by him.

One word - BRILLIANT

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This class should be mandatory to graduate from the university. Do yourself a favor: take the class, do the reading, and actually put the effort into it. It will make you a far more interesting person once you've graduated.

Holstein is basically the coolest dude ever. He is entertaining, as well as informative. I HIGHLY recommend taking a course with this guy.

Holstein is brilliant, controversial, funny, and thought-provoking. My favorite U of I prof, hands down.

Jay is the best professor I've had in 7 years of college. Keep an open mind and pay attention. I took every class I could from him. Which lead to my religion minor! woo woo

Literally the best professor I"ve had so far, the class was easy as long as you went to lecture, which I only missed one because it was such a great class. Definately worth your time to take any of his classes. Awesome guy, hilarious, and overall entertaining, and not to mention I learned a LOT from the guy.

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he takes everything that you thought you knew, and makes you question it. he really encourages you to think outside of the box. everyone should definitely take one of his classes before graduation.

Interesting

he made getting up for class at 9:30 in the morning fun - you can't say that about many professors...

I am a graduate student (11th yr, 3rd degree)--so I've taken quite a few Holocaust classes at multiple universities. Prof. Holstein's class has by far been the best. He has raised many questions about that era of history which I had not thought about before. I believe his humor is needed in the classroom--a break for him, and for us during lecture.

Awesome guy to have for an intro, if he doesn't scare the crap out of you.

Beg, borrow, or bribe your way into any of his classes! I've taken all of them. They are so worth it. He's a little intimidating if he focuses on you though. What you learn in his classes go beyond any of the topics addressed and into the realm of basic humanity and goodness. His influence will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Holstein is an awesome professor! At first, I didn't like him at all because I was doing bad in the course. But seeing as that is my fault, I realized how great a professor Holstein really is. The TA's were foolish, didn't like them at all.

Great professor

Holstein is probably far cooler than you, but comparisons are odious. As the master of ironic communication, his knowledge of the Hebrew Bible is evident. He uses the same teaching tool as the Bible, operating on two levels for you to gleam the knowledge your mind can hold. He will help you find out the size of your mind and all. Truly invaluable.

This man is crazy! He will say the most outrageous comments. Fun experience. Everyone should take at least one of his classes just to see what he is like. Be careful tho, cause he will single people out and pick on them-- try to blend in! Hilarious class. Take good notes and tests will be easy.

Outstanding Professor! This class will give you perspectives you never knew you could have. Twelve years later, I still am reminded of things I discovered in Quest for Human Destiny.

Holstein rock!

Great professor... interesting lectures.

My favorite class. Holstein takes dull topics and makes them interesting. I am always tired before and after the 9AM lectures, but during I am wide awake. He may seem undecisive sometimes, but thats the point of his interpretation of the Hebrew Bible; that is, that it can be interpreted in different ways on different levels to suit the reader.

I learn so much in every lecture that I hate to leave. It's sad that he only teaches for half of the semester...this has fast become the most interesting class I've ever taken.

By far my favorite class!! Holstein is the best professor ever-makes material interesting and relevant to daily life. Three hour long class that seems shorter than my one hour classes, time goes by fast. Tests are over notes and readings. Definitely one of the best professors @ UI!

he is hillarious and a genius

Really a great teacher that i would recommend to anyone. i think "jay" is an experience that every UI student should hv b4 leaving IOWA! his class is not easy, but if u take good notes and have a good TA you will do fine. i managed to get an A- by going to lectures and discussions, even though i never cracked to book!

Holstein is THE best professor at Iowa. I've taken all of his classes - JCI, Quests 1,2,3, Bible in Film, and Bible & the Holocaust. He knows the Hebrew Bible like the back of his hand and really makes you want to attend class. Plus he's hilarious, which really helps keep you awake and engaged. Take his classes, they will change your life.

I am a Prof. at the Univ. of Tenn. & took Holstein's classes as a grad student. He is a true inspiration. His tests questions are NOT random! Don't skip class, take in depth notes, and study them every day. I received A's on all his exams. However, I did not cram the night before.

Holstein is a very funny professor who makes lecture very interesting. He doesn't make it boring and always keeps you engaged in what he is saying. I would take another one of his classes if they didn't fill up so quickly!

I took Prof. Holstein's class over 20 yeasr ago and I still remember it as being one of the best classes I ever took.

The epitome of an amazing professor. He is difficult, but even so I highly reccommend taking a course with him. I'd stay away from Judeo Christian Tradition however... very difficult!

I graduated from the U of I in 1990. After eighteen years, Prof. Holstein is the only professor I remember by name. He was that good. I'd come back to just catch a lecture, if I had the time.

a good teacher

It doesn't get much better than this. Holstein is the man! He keeps the class attentive the entire time. He makes going to lecture at 9.30 in the morning worthwhile. Highly recommend taking one class of his before graduating from the U of I.

Jay Holstein 'nuff said!

One of the best classes I had. Prof Holstein gave me a perspective on life & art that I continue to use. The class I had wasn't so much concerned with the right answers so much as an abstract process. A valuable tool indeed.

I would like to say that Holstein talks about depressing things because they are a part of life. I also don't think that he ever really makes his personal views known, but constantly and purposefully contradicts himself. Holstein does what great teachers do- he makes you think, regardless of whether it's depressing or not. He's hilarious too.

I have taken every class Holstein offers at the University of Iowa. He is a philosophically brilliant man. Tests only really require a few hours of studying, usually just a Midterm and a Final. Lecture attendance is not taken, but YOU HAVE TO GO! (don't worry it's always fun even if you disagree with him)

Holstein is INCREDIBLE. I don't know how anyone could walk away from his class not feeling inspired. He makes you work, he makes you laugh, and he makes you think- and think hard. Take his courses- he is amazing.

If you are a U of I student and you leave without taking one of Holstein's courses, you are, excuse me, a d*mned fool. Holstein is legendary and you don't want to miss out. You will remember his lectures for as long as you live. I've only taken JCT and I can't wait to get into Quest! His classes fill up fast for a reason.

he's my first lecture on monday morning, and I actually WANT to get up for his class! Inspirational, but you will only get out of the class what you put in. Just because he doesn't use the textbook in lecture does not mean you should skip it! Never eat/drink in his class, don't yawn, come in late, talk to people around you, and never, EVER sleep

extremely interesting and funny lecturer. He makes it so you want to go to his lectures.

very interesting and funny lecturer. He makes it so that you want to shop up to lectures.

Difficult professor, but extremely interesting and entertaining. Class well worth taking.

Holstein presents himself much the same as the scriptures he teaches. On the surface he looks unorganized, but there is a method for his madness. HIs over all goal is to make you think long and hard about at least one thing during the course of the class, not to push his ideals on you. If you are not prepared to ponder, don't take this class.

For those who want to say that his classses are hard, of course they are! Classes aren't made to be easy. His lectures are funny, and he speaks his mind. He makes fun of his religion and makes fun of the others too. DO believe the hype becuase he is an amazing professor. Anyone who has been here for over40 years is probably good profssor.

Amazing - Even after graduating and becoming a teacher myself I think of the things he did and the way he taught and how he connected such distant material to 19 year olds. Great teacher, tons of passion, real zeal for life and the material. Made my year.

Without a doubt one of the best professors on the University of Iowa campus. Not for everyone, but at the very least highly entertaining.

I took every course offered by Professor Holstein when I was a student (and ended up with a religion major). If you want to learn textbook information about religious tradition, take a different class. If you want to have engaging discussion about the human experience and what it means to be human, wrestle with the questions Holstein asks.

Professor Holstein is the greatest professor I have ever had. He is engaging and brilliant. His lectures are a work of art that he continually builds on over time, and his tangents always have meaning. I recommend him to everyone for a different experience. The TAs for his classes are always very helpful. Overall, take one of his classes!

Outstanding. He has an extremely unique, upbeat and somewhat unorthodox way of teaching. Contrary to what he claims, he keeps his students on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The unstable individuals who speak ill of him are simply complaining because He doesn't spoon-feed the content to us as if we were small children. Get over it!

Great teacher. When I originally came into this class I found things he said to be offensive and I was about ready to drop the course. I am so happy I actually stayed in the class. I sit right up front everyday and (as corny as it might sound) he makes me think about what my life means and what I should be doing with it.

Wow is all I have to say. I took this class because I like religious studies and man he was a great professor. His lectures are crazy and spontaneous which makes it overall very worth while to take.

If you value learning over grades Jay is the right professor for you. His awareness of the human condition goes above and beyond the rest of academia. Hilarious and kind, not a moment is wasted (even when he talks about cats). A friend who had him in the 70's summed it up: "In one lecture Holstein would give you enough info to ponder for a week."

I have completed over 130 school hours of college classes and Jay is by far my favorite professor. He is teaching past what you will be tested on, but if all you are interested in is a good grade he makes it pretty simple for you... take notes read the books. Not to much to study and tests are easy if you just read over your notes.

Holstein's classes were outstanding. I've taken two classes with him and they're extremely interesting, and definitely worth your tuition.

I decided to take this class after hearing about Prof. Holstein from a friend of mine His lectures are always entertaining and he always is throwing out tons of information. He will make you think about ideas that go beyond the classroom. I wish he was teaching this class again because I would definitely recommend it to everyone. Great class.

Favorite class I've taken at Iowa. You actually need to read and pay attention but the content is so interesting you'll actually want to. At least if you're into religion and figuring out the meaning of life and stuff like that. I hate lectures but I actually wanted to attend his.

Overall, he's a great lecturer and won't tell you the right answers. He really makes you think critically and makes you understand the big picture, not just simple regurgitation of reading assignments. He only has two tests and one essay for the entire grade of the class, but his curve is pretty generous. He has the nickname "the swearing rabbi"

I took Quest For Human Destiny with Professor Holstein in the 1980's. His class still impacts me today. One of the main things that has impacted me was his commentary on the meaning of "truth." "What is truth?"he would ask." Is something true because your mother, father, rabbi, priest say so?" My wife took his class in 2007. Worth it!

His class Quest for Human Destiny absolutely changed my life. I think everyone needs to take it.

He is amazing but why he always yelling tho Love his enthusiasm

Idk feel like I overhyped this class a little so i was a little underwhelmed. Fun one but not life changing as a lot of people say. After spring break he completely lost me in lecture and felt like he talked in circles. Most impactful thing about this class is the readings imo.

So many people would come for the lectures that they sat on the stairs.