Seated (left to right): Dr. Anna Rosen, Dr. Frances Milino, Peter Elitzer, Alan P. Goldberg, UAlbany President Karen R. Hitchcock, Steven Hess, Malka Evan and Dr. Jonathan D. Sarna. Standing (left to right): Dr. Arthur Brenner, Dr. Susan Sherman, Dr. Daniel Levy, Dr. Robert M. Seltzer, Dr. Mishael M. Caspi, Dr. Mark A. Raider, Dr. Jonathan Rosen, Nahum Lewis, Dr. Pamela Nadell, Dr. Abraham Sherer, and Beth Elitzer.
Not pictured:
Francine Godart, Haskell Rosenberg, and Dr. Alvin Rosenfeld.
By Vincent RedaPresident Karen Hitchcock of the University at Albany announced plans to create a Center for Jewish Studies that will eventually establish Albany as the hub of Jewish Studies for the State University of New York system and for public higher education in the Northeast.
A gala opening is planned for the Center in Spring 2002 at which Tel Aviv University President and former Israeli ambassador to the U.S. Itamar Rabinovich is scheduled to attend and deliver a public address.
A Jewish Studies Advisory Board, made up of distinguished community leaders and nationally renowned scholars in Jewish studies, has been formed to provide valuable input regarding both the creation of the Center and the growth and expansion of UAlbany�s Department of Judaic Studies.
"We are very proud of this effort, which represents the University at Albany�s ongoing commitment to overall academic excellence and in particular to the field of Jewish studies," said Hitchcock. "Our university is home to one of the oldest Jewish studies departments in the country, and the Jewish community in the Capital Region has a long and significant cultural history.
"We therefore look forward with confidence and enthusiasm to the creation of a vibrant Center for Jewish Studies based here at the University."
Mark A. Raider, chair of the Department of Judaic Studies, said that the Advisory Board met in November 2000 and approved a major fund-raising campaign. It raised an initial $50,000, including a $25,000 challenge grant from Marty Silverman of New York, to launch the campaign. "The Center for Jewish Studies will significantly enhance the mission and reach of the Judaic studies at UAlbany through new educational initiatives, community-wide programming, scholarly endeavors, and distance-learning technology," said Raider.
The Advisory Board�s charge is to facilitate greater interaction among the University, the field of Jewish studies, the Capital Region community, and all residents of New York State.
"This is an important undertaking," said Alan P. Goldberg, president and director of First Albany Corporation and a founding member of the board. "It is also a special opportunity for the community to support and shape Jewish studies at UAlbany.
"And with Albany being the capital of New York State and the headquarters for SUNY Central Administration, UAlbany is the ideal place to create a center for Jewish studies."
The founding members of the Board include such community leaders as Beth and Peter Elitzer of Albany, Malka Evan of Slingerlands, Francine Godgart of Troy, Alan P. Goldberg of Albany, Steven Hess of Rochester, Nahum Lewis of Albany, Anna Rosen of Albany, Haskell Rosenberg of Rochester, and Abraham Sherer of Albany.
The Board also includes several prominent scholars: Pamela Nadell of American University, Frances Malino of Wellesley College, Arthur Brenner of Siena College, Mishael M. Caspi of Bates College, professors Daniel Levy and Mark A. Raider (ex officio) of UAlbany, Alvin H. Rosenfeld of Indiana University, Jonathan Rosen of Albany Medical College, Jonathan D. Sarna of Brandeis University, Susan Sherman of UAlbany, and Robert M. Seltzer of Hunter College, CUNY.
