Hi, I'm Yeshua "Josh" Tolle.
I'm an Associate Director of University Programs at Tikvah. I received my BA from Ohio State, and I earned my PhD in English Language and Literature, with a certificate in Judaic Studies, from the University of Michigan. I have taught at the college level as a professor, instructor, and general educator. I have a passion for education and research. I was a 2024–25 Krauthammer Fellow with Tikvah.
Read below for more about my professional background and personal passions, work history, education, research interests and expertise, and even what languages I work in.
About Me
I'm an Associate Director of University Programs at Tikvah. I received my BA from Ohio State and I earned my PhD in English Language and Literature, with a certificate in Judaic Studies, from the University of Michigan. I have taught at the college level as a professor, instructor, and general educator. I have a passion for education and research. I was a 2024–25 Krauthammer Fellow with Tikvah.
In 2024, I received a major grant to lead a Hillel International "Hevra" working group focused on male engagement. In January 2025, I co-organized a retreat in Nashville for the first-ever Male Engagement Cohort. Hillel professionals from across the nation gathered to discuss the trends, dilemmas, and future of young men in higher education. A draft of our white paper can be found here.
When I'm not supporting our campus chapters, visiting schools, or connecting with students, I'm probably reading or writing. I'm passionate about Hebrew, American culture, intellectual history, and the Jewish past, present, and future. I write regularly at Well-Read (or Trying), a Substack column on literature, the classics, and books. Browse my site to learn more about my work and experience.
Participating in a writers' conference at Princeton
Moderating a discussion with Bernard-Henri Lévy
Education
2015–2021
PhD in English Language and Literature with Certificates in Judaic Studies and Diversity and Inclusive Teaching, University of Michigan
Dissertation: Becoming Academic: US Identity Poetics, 1968–2008
2017
Naomi Prawer Kadar International Yiddish Summer Program, University of Tel Aviv
2010–2014
Bachelor of Arts in English and Religious Studies, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH (summa cum laude)
Professional Appointments
2025–Present
Associate Director of University Programs, Tikvah
2022–2024
Senior Manager of Jewish Education (Cleveland Hillel)
Senior Jewish Educator (Ohio State Hillel)
2021–22
Assistant Professor and Postdoctoral Fellow, English, DePauw University
2015–21
Instructor and Teaching Assistant, University of Michigan
Research Areas
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Campus Antisemitism
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Modern American Literature
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Jewish Leadership
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Contemporary Poetry
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Black Studies
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Varieties of Judaism
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Religion and Literature
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The Art of Translation
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Hebrew in America
Languages
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English (native fluency)
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Hebrew (reading, some speaking)
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French (reading, some speaking)
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Yiddish (reading)
Contact Me
If you'd like to connect, send me a message through my contact form. I look forward to hearing from you!