CENTER FOR JEWISH STUDIES AT QUEENS COLLEGE

THE ARTHUR AND CAROLE ANDERMAN CULTURE & ARTS FALL 2016 GUIDE

Expulsion 1492, © 2014 by Mark Podwal, from The Terezin Portfolio 1 CULTURE & ARTS FALL 2016 GUIDE

CONTENTS CALENDAR

Letter from the Director: SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER continued The Year in Review 3 September 21 • Wednesday, 7 pm November 6 • Sunday, 3 pm LeFrak Concert Hall Review of Culture & Arts Goldstein Theatre Co-sponsored by the Yeshiva University Programming for 2015–16 5 Sephardic Community Program Annual Commemoration of Kristallnacht and Recommitment to Combating Addional Highlights from JEWISH LECTURE SERIES Anti-Semitism and Hatred Our Past Season 12 The Jewish New Year: Spiritual Inspiration Keynote Speaker: Prof. Annette Insdorf, for the High Holidays and Beyond – Columbia University Jewish Lecture Series 13 Connecting to Our Jewish Identity, the The Holocaust in American Film Individual, and the Community Annual Kristallnacht Commemoration 18 Rabbi Moshe M. Tessone, Yeshiva University November 15 • Tuesday, 7:15 pm Rosenthal Library, Room 230 Biblical Archaeology Slide-Lecture 19 September 28 • Wednesday, 12:15 pm JEWISH LECTURE SERIES Rosenthal Library, President’s A Mobile People in a Dynamic City: Music & Theater Performance Conference Room #2 (fifth floor) New York Jews in the 20th–21st Century Series 20 JEWISH LECTURE SERIES BOOK TALK Prof. Jeffrey Gurock, Yeshiva University Jewish Salonica; Between the Ottoman Faculty Speakers Bureau 21 Empire and Modern Greece DECEMBER Achievements & Distinctions 22 Prof. Devin E. Naar, University of Washington December 5 • Monday, 7:30 pm Graduation & Awards Ceremony 29 Rosenthal Library, Room 230 OCTOBER BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY Spotlight on Alumni 30 October 27 • Thursday, 7 pm The Three Bodies of God in the Rosenthal Library, Room 230 Hebrew Bible Our Publications 31 JEWISH LECTURE SERIES Prof. Mark S. Smith, Princeton Theological About the Center for Jewish Studies 33 The Chosen People in an Age of Political Seminary Correctness A Note from Elsi Levy 35 Rabbi Hayyim Angel December 15 • Thursday, 7 pm LeFrak Concert Hall Friends of the Center 36 NOVEMBER MUSIC AND THEATER SERIES November 1 • Tuesday, 6 pm A Chanukah Celebration Rosenthal Library, Room 230 New Membership Benefits 37 Featuring Eleanor Reissa with Frank London JEWISH LECTURE SERIES and his Klezmer Brass Allstars Important Reasons to Give: Images of Jews in the Early Age of Print Why Your Contribution is a Prof. Elisheva Carlebach, Columbia University Wise Investment 38

Parking & Transportation 39

Once again we would like to thank Mark Podwal for making available his beautiful art that graces our cover: Expulsion 1492, © 2014 by Mark Podwal, from The Terezin Portfolio.

2 A Letter from the Director: The Year in Review ARNOLD E. FRANKLIN, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF HISTORY

Studies program at Queens College. With an internationally recognized faculty drawn from the departments of History, English, Philosophy, Sociology, Anthropology, Music, Political Science and Classical, Middle Eastern & Asian Languages & Cultures, the program offers students the opportunity to pursue both a major and a minor in Jewish Studies and enrolls hundreds of undergraduates in over thirty courses each year. Graduates regularly garner national and college-wide awards and have gone on to pursue careers in law, medicine, social work, education and the rabbinate (for more on one of

Photo: Leo Correa our wonderful graduates, see the Jewish Studies Executive Board member Gary Sazer with Queens College President Félix Matos “Alumni Spotlight” feature in Rodríguez; Professor Arnold Franklin Jewish Studies Director; and Bernie Spear, Chair of QC this issue). Advisory Board. When I began my new position As the new academic year gets accessible to general audiences and last winter one of my goals was under way, it is my great pleasure specialists alike. Located in one to increase student and faculty to invite you to participate in the of the most diverse neighborhoods involvement in both the academic many exciting programs lined up in the U.S., the Center is uniquely program and the Center, and I’m for the fall season at the Queens poised to explore the breadth pleased to be able to report some College Center for Jewish Studies. and diversity of the Jewish early progress on both fronts. In experience, and to that end actively The mission of the Center is to the spring a faculty committee pursues collaboration with local promote learned conversation and met to approve a much-needed communities, organizations, and informed debate on the broadest overhaul of the requirements for academic institutions. Among the range of topics concerning Jews the minor in Jewish Studies. These most exciting of these efforts is and Judaism. Through conferences, changes immediately generated the new community consortium lectures, performances, book talks, new interest in the program and, initiative, through which the and film screenings, almost all as hoped, we’re already seeing an Center’s programs are brought of which are free and open to the increase in the number of students directly into area synagogues. public, the Center strives to be a declaring degree candidacy. bridge between the college and The Center also encourages the Alongside these efforts, we’ve the wider community, making academic study of Jews and also recruited new participants for the insights of leading scholars, Judaism through its support our faculty colloquium and have writers, and artists available and of the interdisciplinary Jewish begun to involve QC professors

3 more directly in conceiving and Levy, too, another of the stalwarts on students and community that goes implementing future programs at the the Center’s board of directors, whose well beyond their job descriptions and Center for Jewish Studies. presence is felt in every aspect of our is absolutely central to our success. programming. From volunteering The Center for Jewish Studies at We thank you, our members, too, in our office to her generous Queens College could not do what for your support and hope that you philanthropy, Elsi can always be it does without the support of many will take a few moments to fill out counted on for a helping hand and individuals, both on and off campus. the enclosed envelope and renew as a reassuring nod of support. We We wish to thank President Félix V. a Friend of the Center for Jewish are grateful as well to Gary Sazer, Matos Rodríguez for his keen interest Studies at Queens College, or join us a devoted member of the executive in the Center and his assistance in as a new member. In times like these board, who gives generously of his helping us plan for the future. We it is imperative that the Center’s voice time and expertise and whose steady also are grateful to Provost Elizabeth continue to be heard loud and clear hand has kept us on course. F. Hendrey for her enthusiasm and on campus. active participation in many of our Finally, I wish to thank Diane Very best wishes for a happy, events, and to Jeffrey Rosenstock, Spielmann, associate director of the healthy, and productive New Year. Assistant Vice President of External Center, and our staff, Pat Tortorici & Governmental Relations, whose and Rita Shliselberg, for their steadfast support has helped make incredible dedication. Their service to many of our programs possible. the Center and the academic program is distinguished by a devotion to our We acknowledge as well the dedication and hard work of the Jewish Studies Advisory Board. Bernie Spear, who has served as its chair for the past four years, has Thanks to Our “Friends” provided especially vital leadership Your Support is Our Future during this transitional period and has worked tirelessly to ensure that Our latest grant from the U.S. Department of Education has helped the Center will continue on a secure us through these difficult economic times. No doubt, however, you continue to read in the Jewish press and elsewhere that like footing in the years to come. We are all institutions—for profit and not-for-profit—CUNY and Queens also deeply indebted to our board’s College were seriously impacted by the recent great recession and vice chair, Pearl Halegua, who very fragile recovery. We are carefully addressing these challenges to continues to play a leading role in ensure our long-term health, but we rely on your steadfast support developing innovative Jewish Studies to enable us to continue to offer so many free programs and to play programming both at the college and such a pivotal role in the world of Jewish Studies. in the wider community. Having more Few institutions of higher education in the United States can offer than earned the right to take it easy such a broad range of courses in Jewish Studies, taught by such a after serving as chair for 12 years, learned and vibrant faculty, with such talented and engaged students, on a campus where diversity and respect are so twinned. Arthur Anderman continues to be a devoted member of the executive We thank you for your past support and hope you will take a few committee as well as an unwavering moments to fill out the enclosed envelope and join us as a new member or renew as a Friend of the Center for Jewish Studies at supporter of the Center and its Queens College. programs. We are truly fortunate to be able to count on him and his years Join us and experience the reasons why we are excited and proud. of experience. Thanks are due to Elsi

4 Review of Culture & Arts Programming for 2015–2016 DIANE SPIELMANN, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

As in past years, land are run either by the Protestant innovation and or Catholic communities, where some creativity were 2,000 Jews are schooled! As we heard the focus of our from Dr. Melanie Brown, director of program planning, the Dublin Jewish Oral History Proj- from the start of ect—which was created by the Jewish the academic year Representative Council of Ireland in in the fall to its finish in the spring. 2011 due to its diminishing numbers— And with new beginnings each Sep- the Jewish community continues to tember as the academic year unfolds, be a part of the Irish landscape, as it so too is the coming of the Jewish Hol- has for over 1,000 years. Dr. Brown’s idays. In 2015, as fall programming PowerPoint lecture, co-sponsored coincided with the start of the holi- Roger Grunwald, actor-creator of The Mitzvah with the Queens College Irish Studies Project, portrays Christoph Rosenberg, a days, we opened our fall season with a German half-Jew conscripted into Hitler’s army. program, included Jewish communal spectacular performance by renowned life, synagogues, secular life in Dublin, Cantor Raphael Frieder of Temple next event, The Mitzvah Project, in and philo-Semitism and anti-Semitism Israel in Great Neck and acclaimed which accomplished actor Roger in Ireland. Dr. Brown rounded out her accompanist, Ronn Yedidia, DMA. Grunwald, the son of an Auschwitz lecture with a history, beginning with Led by Cantor Frieder, the audience Survivor, portrayed several characters, the first Jews of Ireland and leading was in awe as they “Listen[ed] to the including a soldier in Hitler’s army up to the modern period. A lively and Songs and the Prayers” in a “Musical of mixed lineage (Jewish and non- informed Q&A ensued between audi- Prelude to the Holidays.” The selec- Jewish) in his one act, one-man play ence and speaker. tions ranged from Yossele Rosenblatt co-written with Annie McGreevy. For the next evening event, we went to Leonard Bernstein, in an amalgam The play was the first segment of the from Ireland to Spain with our next of traditional cantorials to popular program capturing the attention of program featuring CUNY Graduate pieces. Enthused by the ever-lively each onlooker with a bone-chilling Center’s Professor Emerita Jane Ger- performance, the audience chimed in performance that evoked the life of ber, one of the foremost experts on to each of the well-known nigunim and a concentration camp. But that was the Jews of Spain. In “Yearning and the popular renditions. It was a won- only the beginning of the evening: The Returning: Retrieving Spanish Nation- derful start to the New Year and the “stage was now set” for a PowerPoint ality after 500 Years,” Dr. Gerber fall season! lecture based on academic research, surprised her audience with what she Visceral and thought-provoking delivered as only a seasoned actor had to say about the recently enacted were the only words to describe our can.* All present were riveted to Grun- wald’s every word and explanation, which in turn concluded with not only a Q&A session, but a discussion fit for the academy! A lunch of kosher corned beef and cabbage, at a lecture on Irish Jewry sounded somewhat contradictory—as it did learning that all schools in Ire-

* The Mitzvah was based on academic research Ronn Yedida, on piano, accompanying Cantor by military historian, Bryan Rigg, culminat- Raphael Frieder, Cantor of Temple Israel of

ing in his book, Hitler’s Jewish Soldiers: The Photos: Leo Correa Great Neck in “Listen to the Songs and the Prayers: A Musical Prelude to the Holidays,” Untold Story of Nazi Racial Laws and Men of Professor Jane Gerber of CUNY delivering the presented by the QC Center for Jewish Jewish Descent in the German Military, which annual Leon and Morris Levy Memorial Lecture Studies just prior to the High Holidays. won the 2003 Colby Award for military history. endowed by the Levy Family on October 29.

5 Photos: Adrian Chafloque Professor Elizabeth Bloch-Smith delivering her November 4 lecture on Lena Casuto Goren, Survivor of Salonika, Greece, dedicating a memorial “Archaeology and the Bible: Two Witnesses to Ancient Israel.” candle at the Center for Jewish Studies Kristallnacht Commemoration.

reinstatement of citizenship for Jews of “the book” can be compromised as an munity Council, and the Kupferberg Spanish lineage. Deftly outlining not historical source seen through the lens Holocaust and Resource Center and only the cumbersome procedures for of varying authors and editors, while Archives of Queensborough Com- becoming a citizen as the new law pre- archaeology presents an “unedited munity College (QCC). In memory scribes, Dr. Gerber also provided the record.” From this perspective, along of those who perished, as well as of history of the Spanish government vis- with PowerPoint notes and illustra- the late Jewish Studies Director, Prof. à-vis the Jewish Community through- tions, she set out to demonstrate agree- Benny Kraut (son of survivors) and out the centuries since the Inquisition. ment between the two fields as well in tribute to the survivors, this event Was this new law a “welcoming” as “disagreements.” She proceeded by has come to be a hallmark of our fall gesture, or rather a process to limit the using Chronicles of the Kings of Israel, programming. After greetings from Dr. number of those seeking citizenship? Chronicles of the Kings of Judah, and Diane Spielmann and QC President If the latter were the case, then why the Annals of Solomon for her text, as Félix V. Matos-Rodríguez, we heard a would Spain even offer the citizenship? well as the Conquest and Settlement moving multicultural invocation from The answer was simple, one that has accounts using archaeologic remains, Fr. Patrick Griffen of St. John’s Uni- defined the Jewish Community within and demonstrated that no contempo- versity, Imam Ali Mermer, and Rabbi the host society for centuries: to bolster rary or substantiating archaeological Robert Charnoff, the latter two both the national economy! evidence for Israel’s origins could be of Queens College. Then, as a special Archaeology and Text was the found. With that conclusion as food for gesture of thanks to our benefactor, theme of the Fall 2015 Biblical thought, there was a lively exchange in Michael Resnick, the Resnick Fam- Archaeology series with Prof. Eliza- the Q&A period with the audience that ily, and Sinai Chapels, a plaque was beth Bloch-Smith. With over 40 years could have lasted all night! awarded to Michael Resnick by Bernie of field experience, she is a faculty Supported by the Resnick Family Spear, Chair of the QC Center for Jew- member of the Theology and Religious of Sinai Chapels, Fresh Meadows, ish Studies Advisory Board. Studies Department at St. Joseph’s the annual Center for Jewish Studies The keynote address was given by University in Philadelphia, where she Kristallnacht Commemoration and former Congresswoman Elizabeth teaches various courses on Biblical Recommitment to Combating Anti- Holtzman, who spearheaded the pas- and ancient Near Eastern archaeol- Semitism and Hatred, was a joint pro- sage of the “Holtzman Amendment” ogy. In her lecture, “Archaeology and gram with the QC Center for Ethnic, in 1978 that facilitated the removal the Bible: Two Witnesses to Ancient Racial & Religious Understanding from the U.S. of those who engaged Israel,” Dr. Bloch-Smith explained that (CERRU), the Queens Jewish Com- or assisted in acts of Nazi persecution.

6 The program included a processional Universitat Popeu Fabra of Barcelona, in the generations that were to follow). of survivors who entered to instrumen- this lecture was originally planned as Today, Dr. Conte Aguilar continues tal music by the Townsend Harris High a faculty colloquium, but was opened her research in more ways than one! School Chamber Music Club, directed to students and the broader community. In a deeply philosophical lecture, Dr. by Dr. Mariko Sato Berger. The sur- Dr. Conte Aguilar, who was born in Catherine Chalier, Professor Emerita of vivors and the daughter of a survivor, Hijar, a small town between Madrid Philosophy at the University of Naterre each accompanied by a CERRU stu- and Barcelona, included PowerPoint in France, addressed “Reading the dent fellow and QCC student ambas- illustrations from her current research Torah” to an overflow house, which sador, participated in a moving candle- at the Jewish Theological Seminary in included faculty and the broader com- lighting ceremony. The student fellows New York. She described how a print- munity plus at least 20 students sitting and ambassadors made a commitment ing press was established in Hijar by on the floor (for lack of enough chairs). to fight anti-Semitism and hatred. The a Jew, Eliezer ben Alontansi. Eventu- As an introduction to the topic, Prof. program included songs by accom- ally the press became well-known as Chalier defined both the holy books plished soprano Sara Kahan, accompa- the best in the region, with branches and various interpretations. She noted nied by Dr. Mariko Sato Berger. The spreading not only within Spain but that with each historical period the finale of all of the musicians, instru- also throughout the region, including Torah “reveals itself” to each genera- mentalists, and vocalists ended the faraway Morocco and Fez, only to tion, ultimately imparting its “truth” evening in a spirit of hope. be dismantled a few years later in the within its temporal time frame. As an When personal history is enmeshed Inquisition. Then she revealed an anec- example she pointed out how in earlier within a broader history, a lecture dote from her own childhood as she times women were only mentioned becomes all the more intriguing for recalled that on several occasions she in the context of motherhood, or not both the speaker and the audience. was scolded by her mother and grand- at all, whereas as time went on there Such was the case when the Center mother for placing meat on a platter would be fuller interpretations on presented “The Jews of Hijar Spain that was strictly reserved for dairy! the subject of women. After the well and Their Short-lived but Remark- Prof. Conte Aguilar noted that “during received lecture, a lively Q&A period able Printing Press for Hebrew Books, the Inquisition it was conceivable that was conducted by Prof. Abi Doukhan, from 1482 until 1492,” when the Jews the Jews of Hijar all became conver- a member of the Jewish Studies and were expelled from Spain. Delivered sos” (Jews who were forced to convert Philosophy faculty, who holds the by Dr. Lucia Conte Aguilar, Professor and yet continued to practice Judaism Pearl and Nathan Halegua Family of Medieval and Jewish History at the in secrecy, which eventually dissipated Professorship in Ethics and Tolerance supported by the Pearl and Nathan Halegua Family Foundation. With Dr. Doukhan’s class present, the ques- tions from her students, as well as their dialogue with Dr. Chalier, was impres- sive, making us all proud of the caliber of our QC Jewish Studies students. As the fall season began with a musical prelude to the holidays, so too the conclusion of the fall semester ended on a festive note with a “Cha- nukah Celebration.” And what a cel- ebration it was, made possible by the Carole and Arthur Anderman Fund, Photo: Adrian Chafloque supported by the Andermans. David Dr. Lucia Conte Aguilar, Universitat Pompeu Fabra Barcelona, delivering her November 20 Serero, international actor and star in lecture, “The Jews of Hijar, Spain and their Short-lived Printing Press for Hebrew Books.”

7 opera, jazz, and Broadway musicals, ensuing Q&A period focused on the related the story of when she was a put the audience in the mood for the history of Moroccan Jewry and issues nine-year-old girl, arrested in 1971 holiday with his very personal and regarding the status of women in that along with her entire family and whimsical style as he entered the stage ever-changing society, the artistic incarcerated for several weeks for along with his talented accompanist theme was also highlighted in the spir- alleged espionage as Zionists. Sin- on piano, Noriko Sunamoto. Within ited discussion. gled out by the Iraqi police, young seconds of their entry, the audience The next program opened with les- Cynthia was separated from her fam- was enthralled and ready to join in sons of history and memory filled with ily while clutching a doll her father the fun and laughter. David’s musical passion and poignant moments, all part had just given her. During the course renditions included “New York, New of the book talk based on the memoir of interrogating Cynthia, the police- York,” “Old Man River,” and “Rock of The Strangers We Became: Lessons man took her doll and dismembered Ages” (sung in Hebrew), not to men- in Exile from One of Iraq’s Last Jews, it, looking for recordings of Zionist tion a series of international songs in a by Dr. Cynthia Kaplan Shamash. Her activities. Becoming ever more frus- myriad of languages. And as the one- dynamic presentation began with the trated at not finding any evidence, hour show was winding down, David history that had existed in Iraq for he finally gave up as Cynthia picked called for six volunteers from the audi- more than 2,000 years, and its demise up the pieces of her broken doll. ence to join him in his final number. in 2003 when a trove of Iraqi Jew- And then came the gasps from the Queens College’s own Sara Kahan, ish documentation was discovered by audience as Dr. Shamash held up an accomplished soprano, along with the U.S. military in war-torn Iraq and that very doll with blond hair and no five other volunteers in a jovial mood came to be known as the Iraqi Jew- limbs. The doll symbolized not only joined in to cap the afternoon’s fes- ish Archive, now temporarily housed her experiences but also the memory tivities, followed by a meet-and-greet in Washington, DC. Dr. Shamash of her father who died one year later reception amidst potato latkes and made history come alive by providing while the family was exiled in Hol- soufganiot (traditional Sephardi Cha- comparative statistics of the percent- land. As she continued the chronicle nukah treats better known to the rest of age of Jews living in historic Baghdad of her odyssey through four coun- us as “jelly donuts”). It was indeed a vs. New York today; surprisingly, tries before coming to America as a “Happy Chanukah” for all. that ancient statistic was double of young accomplished adult, one could After the winter hiatus, the Center’s that of contemporary New York! And sense the pathos, pain, and emotional Spring offerings kicked off with the then surprise turned to shock as Dr. upheaval that touched the audience as screening of “Orange People.” Written, Shamash, reading from her memoir, well as recognition of her strength of directed, and starring Hanna Azoulay Hasfari, the colorful film portrayed four generations of Moroccan Jewish women in contemporary Israel. As the various plots unfolded within the four- generation span, viewers were given both a cultural and historical overview of Moroccan Jewry, enhanced by the commentary given by QC Associate Professor Sami Shetrit, a Moroccan- born Jew raised in Israel who now teaches Hebrew in the Classical, Middle Eastern & Asian Languages & Cultures Department. Prof. Shetrit Photo: Adrian Chafloque is a film producer himself as well as a Dr. Cynthia Kaplan Shamash signing her book, The Strangers We Became: Lessons in Exile from One writer of poetry and prose. While the of Iraq’s Last Jews, following her March 16 book talk.

8 The first event was the opening of the on-campus exhibition of the prints on April 4 at the Godwin-Ternbach Museum, followed by a reception for the public on April 7, co-sponsored by the Museum and the Center for Jewish Studies, supported by Dr. Roslyn Gold and Family on the first yahrzeit of hus- band and father Simon Gold. The opening reception featured Mark Podwal in a conversation with

Photo: Leo Correa Director/Curator Dr. Amy Winter of “National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene” in a performance of “A Joyful Purim Concert” at the the Godwin-Ternbach Museum. And annual QC Center for Jewish Studies Purim Party. what a conversation it was, with Amy character. Finally, she surprised each A highlight of the 2015–2016 year bringing out the many facets of the of us as she turned the program over to programming was a series of events artist’s life, including his student days her friend Frannie Faith Southworth, related to The Terezin Portfolio by at Queens College, his creative drive, who sang a beautifully touching song internationally renowned artist Mark the study of Judaism, and the impact entitled “Home.” And that said it all Podwal, donated by him to Queens of religion as well as of history. The for history internalized. College. The 42 prints of the Portfo- intriguing and sometimes surprising On the first day of spring “A Purim lio are a disturbing reminder of how questions and answers were com- Spiel” brought over 300 people to Europe’s extensive history of anti- pelling for the full-house audience, Queens College for a presentation by Semitism laid the groundwork for including QC President Félix V. Matos the National Yiddish Theatre Folks- Terezin and Auschwitz, with each Rodríguez and Mark Podwal’s former biene of The Megile of Itzik Manger, piece of artwork resembling a book’s Queens College classmate and lifelong hosted by the Center for Jewish Stud- pages. In addition, Mark Podwal friend Barry Bryer, currently chair of ies and supported by Councilman Rory paired every image with biblical verses the Queens College Foundation. Lancman. With the distinguished and from the Book of Psalms, followed by The celebration of Dr. Podwal’s original cast of 2013 along with Dmitri his own written commentary. work continued on April 14 with a Zisl Slepovitch on piano and producer/ director Motl Didner, the production— a staged musical reading—was a huge success! The Yiddish rendition (with supertitles in English and Russian) reflected the genius of Itzik Manger, in his ability to transpose the original Megile into the setting of Eastern Europe this past century, updated with lyrics by Shmuel Bunim, Haim Hefer, and Dov Seltzer, prize-winning con- temporary Israeli composer. Throughout the performance there were “cheers” for Folksbiene and Photo: Leo Correa “jeers” for Haman! After the perfor- Godwin-Ternbach Museum of Queens College posting of Mark Podwal’s Terezin Portfolio mance the merriment continued in a reception and spin-off programming co-sponsored by the QC Center for Jewish Studies and in part made possible by Dr. Roslyn Gold and Family in memory of Jewish Studies Advisory fitting reception with hamantaschen. Board member Simon Gold for his first Yahrzeit.

9 panel discussion: “Anti-Semitism from Antiquity to the 20th Century,” held in the Museum and co-sponsored by the Center for Jewish Studies. Prior to the panel there was an exclusive recep- tion for the esteemed board members of both the Museum and the Center. Dr. Matos Rodríguez was in atten- dance, along with Museum Director Amy Winter and Director of Jewish Studies Arnold Franklin. Following the reception, the general public was also invited to hear the panel on anti- Semitism throughout history, presented Photo: Leo Correa Aerial view from the mezzanine of the Godwin-Ternbach Museum during the reception and by renowned scholars in each of their panel discussion of the Mark Podwal Exhibition. fields of expertise. The panel was mod- erated by David Kraemer, the Joseph Professor of Holocaust Studies, at New audience with intriguing facts and at J. and Dora Abbell Librarian and Pro- York University’s Skirball Center for times surprising commentary on the fessor of Talmud & Rabbinic Studies Hebraic & Jewish Studies, who spoke history of anti-Semitism, with multiple from the Jewish Theological Seminary. on Medieval Jewish History; and Elissa references to Dr. Podwal’s depictions The distinguished panelists included Bemporad, the Jerry & William Ungar within his Terezin Portfolio. Steven Fine, the Dr. Pinkhos Churgin Professor in Eastern European Jewish As has now become “tradition,” the Professor of Jewish History at Yeshiva History & the Holocaust at Queens Center for Jewish Studies on-campus University, who discussed Jews & College, who concluded with Modern Spring programming ends with a lec- Judaism in the Roman Empire; Robert Jewish European Studies. Each of ture in observance of Yom HaShoah, a Chazan, the S.H. & Helen R. Scheuer the speakers held the attention of the program endowed by Celina and Mar- vin Zborowski, survivors of the Holo- caust, and so, too, it was this year. The Zborowskis and Marvin’s late brother Eli, with whom he survived in Poland, have been instrumental in ensuring remembrance at Queens College and beyond. The commemoration is one of the most solemn events sponsored by the Center in tribute to the survivors, and in memory of those who did not survive. This year, featuring Prof. Joshua Zimmerman, the Eli and Diana Zborowski Chair in Holocaust Stud- ies and East European Jewish History at Yeshiva University, the lecture in many ways symbolically reunited the Photo: Leo Correa Zborowski brothers in spirit. Prof. Mark Podwal Exhibition and Panel Discussion, left to right. Prof. Steven Fine, panelist, Yeshiva University; Dr. Amy Winter, Director and Curator of the Godwin-Ternbach Museum, QC; Prof. Zimmerman’s presentation was based Robert Chazan, panelist, NYU; Prof. David Kraemer, Jewish Theological Seminary, moderator on his latest book, The Polish Under- of the panel; Prof. Arnold Franklin, Director of the QC Center for Jewish Studies; Prof. Elissa Bemporad, QC, panelist. ground & the Jews 1939–1945, a

10 “Messy History: How the Cairo Geniza Has Complicated Our View of the Past,” Prof. Franklin explained how the Cairo Geniza, a remarkable trove of medieval Jewish manuscripts, came to light at the end of the 19th century. Altogether the Geniza contained a staggering 300,000 pages, including autograph masterpieces by such authors as Moses Maimonides and Judah Halevi, as well as thousands of letters and documents reflecting the daily lives of ordinary Jews—all Photo: Sara Kahan Barry Bryer, Mark Podwal, and Pres. Félix V. Matos Rodríguez at the opening reception of the of which has transformed modern Mark Podwal exhibition at the QC Godwin-Ternbach Museum on April 7. thinking about the past. In summary, the 2015–2016 scholarly work that recounts the heroic Jew’s Search for God with Christians academic year at the Queens stories of rescue of Jews by Poles in and Muslims in the Holy Land. College Center for Jewish Studies significant numbers along with the flip To close the season, the Hillcrest in its expanding programs touched side—the notorious atrocities commit- Jewish Center held a breakfast lecture audiences through historical ted by other Poles. With 100 attend- to showcase Prof. Arnold Franklin, interpretations, discoveries, and ees, including a significant number of not only to meet and greet him as the presentation of the best in culture survivors and children of survivors in newly appointed Director of the QC and the arts. attendance, the Q&A period that fol- Center for Jewish Studies but also for lowed was intense. his expertise in history. In his lecture, Spring programming also included off-site events through the expanding Synagogue Consortium of Queens and Nassau Counties in collaboration with the Center for Jewish Studies at Queens College. Two such programs served as “bookends” to the 2016 Spring season: In early March Temple Beth Sholom of Roslyn hosted “A Religious Jew’s Spiritual Journey into Islam,” presented by American-born journalist and prize-winning author Yossi Klein Halevi from Israel. A senior fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, he is the author of Dreamers: The Story of the Israeli Paratroopers Who Reunited Jerusalem and Divided a Nation, winner of the Photo: Leo Correa National Jewish Book Award, and At During a spirited Q&A, Prof. Joshua Zimmerman, the Eli and Diana Zborowski Chair in the Entrance to the Garden of Eden: A Holocaust Studies and East European Jewish History at Yeshiva University, takes a question from the Yom HaShoah 2016 audience.

11 Additional Highlights from Our Past Season Photo: Leo Correa Musical interlude at the Kristallnacht Commemoration, played by the Townsend Harris High School Student Ensemble, directed by Dr. Mariko Sato Berger, teacher of music and Japanese. Photo: Leo Correa Hannah Deutsch, a “kinder transport” survivor and British Army veteran, leading the Pledge of Allegiance at the annual Kristallnacht Commemoration. Photo: Leo Correa Children enjoying the Purim Party entertainment. Photo: Adrian Chafloque Photo: Leo Correa

David Serero (right) and Noriko Sunamoto at the piano, with six audience Dr. Cynthia Kaplan Shamash meets a fellow escapee volunteers, including QC’s Sara Kahan (standing, second from left) at the from Iraq who attended her book talk. annual Chanukah Celebration.

12 JEWISH LECTURE SERIES

The Jewish New Year: Spiritual Inspiration for the High Holidays and Beyond Connecting to Our Jewish Identity, the Individual, and the Community RABBI MOSHE M. TESSONE, YESHIVA UNIVERSITY September 21, Wednesday, 7 pm | LeFrak Concert Hall | Free and open to the public.

education, as well as Torah-related This program has been made subjects. He also has toured as a possible by Elsi Levy, endowed concert soloist performing Sephardic by the Levy Family. and cantorial music featuring Judeo- Co-sponsored by the Yeshiva Arabic and Judeo-Spanish religious University Sephardic Community song and liturgy. Program. He received his rabbinic ordination from Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac For LeFrak Concert Hall, there is Elchannan Theological Seminary. He free parking in Lot 15 on Reeves Ave. Rabbi Moshe Tessone is Director (behind the Music Building) and easy is a graduate of New York University’s of the Sephardic Community Pro- elevator access from street level to the Stern School of Business, and gram and a distinguished faculty main floor of the Music Building. received his master’s degree in Jewish member at Yeshiva University, where Education and administration from he teaches Jewish Studies. He also is Yeshiva University. an instructor of Sephardic cantillation and liturgy at the YU-affiliated Belz Moshe Tessone released his debut School of Jewish Music. Sephardic album/CD, entitled Odeh La’ El, in 2005. Hakshiva, an album Rabbi Tessone has toured extensively of original Jewish Sephardic music, throughout North and South America, Europe, and Israel both as a was released in 2006. rabbinic speaker on topics of Jewish In addition to his talk, Rabbi Tessone and Sephardic interest, including will be accompanied on piano for a Sephardic history and Jewish selection of appropriate cantorials.

13 JEWISH LECTURE SERIES BOOK TALK

Jewish Salonica: Between the Ottoman Empire and Modern Greece

PROF. DEVIN E. NAAR, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON September 28, Wednesday, 12:15 pm | Free and open to the public. Rosenthal Library | President’s Conference Room #2 (fifth floor)

Author Devin E. Naar, the Isaac After the lecture, followed by a Alhadeff Professor of Sephardic Q&A period, Jewish Salonica will Studies and Associate Professor of be offered for sale at a discount History and Jewish Studies at the by the author. Cash and checks University of Washington–Seattle, will be accepted. traveled to Salonica, Jerusalem, Light refreshments will be and Moscow, where he discovered available. previously unstudied archives written in Ladino, Greek, French, RSVP: 718-997-5730 or 718-997-4530 or email A groundbreaking book, Jewish and Hebrew. [email protected]. Salonica recounts the fate of the His research reveals how Salonica’s Jews of Salonica (Thessaloniki), Jews sought to transform themselves Paid parking is available in the once home to the largest Sephardic from Ottoman Jews into Hellenic Jewish community in the world Student Union; for information Jews during an era of rising nation- on parking call 718-997-3964. and known as the “Jerusalem of the alism and economic crisis. In the Balkans.” Highlighting the voices of process, they reinvigorated their Salonican Jews, the book explores the connection nd claimed it as their tumultuous experience of rupture and own until the Holocaust. Through transition from the Ottoman Empire the case of Salonica, Naar recovers to modern Greece during the early the diverse experiences of a lost 20th century. religious, linguistic and national minority at the crossroads of Europe and the Middle East.

Please see page 39 for travel directions to Queens College.

14 JEWISH LECTURE SERIES

Jewish Salonica: Between the Ottoman The Chosen People in an Age Empire and Modern Greece of Political Correctness

PROF. DEVIN E. NAAR, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON RABBI HAYYIM ANGEL | Free and open to the public. September 28, Wednesday, 12:15 pm October 27, Thursday, 7 pm Rosenthal Library | President’s Conference Room #2 (fifth floor) Rosenthal Library | Room 230 | Free and open to the public

Rabbi Hayyim Angel is the National Presented by the Annual Leon Scholar of the Institute for Jewish and Morris Levy Memorial Lecture, Ideas and Ideals (jewishideas.org). endowed by the Levy Family. He also teaches advanced Bible courses to undergraduate, graduate, The Queens College Center for Jewish and rabbinical students at Yeshiva Studies is deeply grateful to Elsi Levy University, and lectures widely. Rabbi and her family for their generosity Angel serves as the Rabbinic Scholar and dedication to Queens College at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun and the Center for Jewish Studies throughout the years. The concept of Israel being God’s in New York. He has published over Chosen People is central to Jewish 120 scholarly articles, primarily on thought, yet it is often a tragically biblical subjects, and is the author misunderstood concept by Jews and or editor of 14 books. He received non-Jews alike. These misunderstand- his BA in Jewish Studies, summa ings have led to unnecessary chauvin- cum laude, from Yeshiva College, his ism and tension. This lecture turns MA in Bible from the Bernard Revel to the biblical roots of the concept to Graduate School, his MS in Jewish express a vision that is simultaneously Education from the Azrieli Graduate particularistic and universalistic. School of Jewish Education, and his rabbinical ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University. He lives in New York with his wife and three children.

Please see page 39 for travel directions to Queens College and parking directions for Rosenthal Library.

15 JEWISH LECTURE SERIES

Images of Jews in the Early Age of Print

ELISHEVA CARLEBACH, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

November 1, Tuesday, 6 pm Rosenthal Library | Room 230 | Free and open to the public

Award; Divided Souls: Converts from Professor Carlebach will present a Judaism in Early Modern Germany variety of printed images of Jews (2000), and Palaces of Time: Jewish from the first decades of print Calendar and Culture in Early technology, and will discuss the role Modern Europe (2011), awarded the of these images in the business of Schnitzer Award by the Association print culture in its earliest stages. for Jewish Studies. She has twice Seating is limited. held fellowships from the National RSVP to 718-997-2920 or Endowment for the Humanities, and email [email protected]/. served as a Fellow at the New York Public Library Center for Scholars and Writers, Tikvah Fellow at NYU Law School, and a Fellow at the Elisheva Carlebach, Salo Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Baron Professor of Jewish History, Studies in Philadelphia. She also Culture, and Society at Columbia served as Editor of the Association University, specializes in the for Jewish Studies Review and chaired cultural, intellectual, and religious the Academic Advisory Council history of the Jews in Early Modern of the Center for Jewish History. Europe. Areas of particular interest She is immediate past President of include the intersection of Jewish the American Academy for Jewish and Christian culture and its effect Research. on notions of tolerance, religious dissent, conversion, messianism, and communal governance. Her books include The Pursuit of Heresy (1990), awarded the National Jewish Book

Please see page 39 for travel directions to Queens College and parking directions for Rosenthal Library.

16 JEWISH LECTURE SERIES

A Mobile People in a Dynamic City: New York Jews in the 20th–21st Century PROF. JEFFREY S. GUROCK, YESHIVA UNIVERSITY November 15, Tuesday, 7:15 pm Rosenthal Library, Room 230 | Free and open to the public.

which was awarded the National A book signing will follow the Jewish Book Award from the Jewish lecture, with books offered at a Book Council in 2013. discounted price.

His latest book, The Jews of Harlem: The Rise, Decline, and Revival of a Jewish Community (NYU Press), was published in 2016.

In celebration of the appearance of Jeffrey S. Gurock is the Libby his latest book, The M. Klaperman Professor of Jewish Jews of Harlem, History at Yeshiva University. A lead- Prof. Gurock will discuss the forces ing scholar in the field of American that have led NY Jews to settle, Jewish history, he was twice the persist, abandon and return to New chair of the Academic Council of the York neighborhoods over the course American Jewish Historical Society. of the last century. He is the author or editor of 18 books including Jews in Gotham: New York Jews in a Changing City, 1920–2010,

Please see page 39 for travel directions to Queens College and parking directions for Rosenthal Library.

17 ANNUAL KRISTALLNACHT COMMEMORATION Annual Commemoration of Kristallnacht and Recommitment to Combating Anti-Semitism and Hatred

KEYNOTE ADDRESS The Holocaust in American Film With Film Clips from the Speaker PROF. ANNETTE INSDORF, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY November 6, Sunday, 3–5 pm | Goldstein Theatre | Free and open to the public.

Dr. Insdorf is the author of Double The program will include a candle- Lives, Second Chances: The Cinema lighting ceremony with Holocaust of Krzysztof Kieslowski; Francois survivors and subsequent generations, Truffaut, a study of the French including the Center for Ethnic, director’s work; and the landmark Racial & Religious Understanding, study, Indelible Shadows: Film and who will carry the torch for the Holocaust (with a foreword by remembrance and commitment to the late Elie Wiesel). For the updated combat Anti-Semitism and Hatred. In third edition she received the National addition there will be a multicultural Board of Review’s William K. invocation and musical interludes. Everson Award in Film History in 2003. Her most recent book is Philip Presented by the Resnick Family and Sinai Kaufman, which film critic Leonard Chapels, Fresh Meadows, Queens, NY. Annette Insdorf, an internationally Maltin called “a thoughtful, scholarly renowned educator and author, is study of one of America’s most a professor in the Graduate Film underrated filmmakers.” Program of Columbia University’s Prof. Insdorf has served as a juror at School of the Arts. She served as international film festivals, including Director of Undergraduate Film Berlin, Galway, Locarno, and Jeru- Studies for 27 years. From 1990 to salem, and is the panel moderator at 1995, she was Chair of the Graduate Organized by Queens College’s the annual Telluride Film Festival Film Division, and is the recipient Center for Jewish Studies and the in Colorado. In her popular “Reel of the 2008 Award for Excellence in Center for Ethnic, Racial & Religious Pieces” series at the Manhattan Teaching from Columbia’s School Understanding, the Queens Jewish 92nd Street Y, she has interviewed of General Studies. She taught Community Council, Kupferberg over 200 film celebrities. Her film history and criticism at Yale Holocaust Research Center and commentaries on prominent University from 1975 to 1988. Archives at Queensborough filmmakers can be heard on DVD. Community College, and others.

For Goldstein Theatre, there is free parking in Lot 15 on Reeves Avenue (behind the Music Building). Walk east to the corner of Kissena Boulevard and the Long Island Expressway to enter the campus for the Goldstein Theatre.

18 BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY SLIDE-LECTURE The Three Bodies of God in the Hebrew Bible PROF. MARK S. SMITH, PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

December 5, Monday, 7:30 pm | Rosenthal Library, Room 230 Admission for open seating $5. For further information, call 718-997-5730 or 4530.

A specialist in the study of Israelite Literary Commemoration of Warriors religion and the Hebrew Bible, as and Warrior Culture in the Early well as the literature and religion Biblical World (2014); How Human of Late Bronze Ugarit, Prof. Smith is God? Seven Questions about God is the author of over one hundred and Humanity in the Bible (2014); articles and sixteen books, including and Where the Gods Are: Spatial The Early History of God: Yahweh Dimensions of Anthropomorphism in and the Other Deities in Ancient the Biblical World (2016). Israel (1990; second edition, 2002); The Pilgrimage Pattern in Exodus, with contributions by archaeologist

Photo: Sara Kahan Elizabeth Bloch-Smith (1997); The Origins of Biblical Monotheism: Mark S. Smith is Helena Professor Israel’s Polytheistic Background of Old Testament Literature and and the Ugaritic Texts (2001); God Exegesis at Princeton Theological in Translation: Deities in Cross- Seminary and formerly Skirball Cultural Discourse in the Biblical Professor of Hebrew Bible and World (2008); Poetic Heroes: The Ancient Near Eastern Studies at New York University. He was a two-time winner of NYU’s Golden Dozen Award for excellence in undergraduate teaching. Earlier he taught at Yale and Saint Joseph’s University. Prof. Smith also served as visiting professor at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

Please see page 39 for travel directions to Queens College and parking directions for Rosenthal Library.

19 MUSIC & THEATER PERFORMANCE SERIES

A Chanukah Celebration FEATURING ELEANOR REISSA with Frank London and his Klezmer Brass Allstars December 15, Thursday, 7 pm | LeFrak Concert Hall | Free and open to the public. A reception to meet and greet the performers with refreshments will follow the performance. CDs will also be available for purchase from the artists.

Opera. She has sung in Carnegie Hall, Town Hall, Skirball Center as well as Drom and The Stone and in festivals all over the world. An anthology of her work, The Last Survivor and Other Modern Jewish Plays has just been published. It covers and presents the gems of Jewish culture. A Celebration for All Ages. Sir Frank London is a Grammy Bring the Entire Family! PHOTO: ADRIAN BUCKMASTER Award-winning trumpeter, composer, Eleanor Reissa, the soulful, dynamic co-founder of the Klezmatics, leader This program has been made possible diva of the Yiddish stage, along with of the Glass House Orchestra, through the Carole and Arthur Anderman Grammy Award-winning musician, Fund, supported by the Andermans. The Frank London and his Klezmer Brass Sharabi, Shekhinah Big Band, Hasidic Queens College Center for Jewish Studies Allstars will thrill you with a rich New Wave, and his Klezmer Brass (Center) is deeply grateful to Carole and evening of fun in music, song, and Allstars. He has been called the Arthur (Advisory Board Chair Emeritus) laughter! “mystical high priest of New Wave for their generosity and dedication to Avant-Klez jazz.” He has performed Queens College and the Center through- is a Tony Award- Eleanor Reissa and recorded over 400 CDs with out the years. nominated director, an Israel artists from Itzak Perlman to John Prize-nominated musical-theatre Zorn. Artistic Director of KlezKanada RSVP: 718-997-5730 adapter, and an award-winning and co-organizer of Yiddish New or 718-997-4530 or email playwright, choreographer, actor, and York, he uses his knowledge of the [email protected]. internationally renowned singer. She music’s traditions to “show a way for For LeFrak Concert Hall, there is free has lived a life in the theatre, and people to embrace Yiddish culture on parking in Lot 15 on Reeves Avenue her career is unique in its depth and their own terms as a living, breathing (behind the Music Building) and easy breadth: Former Artistic Director part of our world and its political and elevator access from street level to of the Folksbiene Theatre, she also aesthetic landscape.” He received the the main floor of the Music Building. received an honorary chair at Colgate Hungarian Order of Merit knighthood University, where she directed and for his work in Jewish music. choreographed The Threepenny

20 Faculty Speakers Bureau

HIGHER EDUCATION FOR THE COMMUNITY

The Queens College Center for Specific subject areas in which PARTICIPATING FACULTY December 15, Thursday, 7 pm | LeFrak Concert Hall | Free and open to the public. Jewish Studies Speakers Bureau has they will speak include: been established as a public service American Judaism In addition to its own faculty, the A reception to meet and greet the performers with refreshments will follow the performance. to the community to foster learning Anti-Semitism Queens College Center for Jewish CDs will also be available for purchase from the artists. and education about Jews and their Biblical Studies Studies annually hosts visiting faculty culture. Supplementing the center’s from the United States and abroad numerous, varied, and rich cultural Hasidism who may also be available to partici- programs on the campus, the Speak- Hebrew Language, Literature, pate in the Speakers Bureau. Please ers Bureau seeks to serve organiza- and Culture keep in mind that faculty also go on tions and agencies that wish to spon- Holocaust: History, Film, Literature, sor stimulating, appealing programs and Theology leave from time to time and may be for their members in the community. Zionism unavailable. Its faculty resources are also available Contemporary Israel to educational institutions, such as For updates on available speakers, American-Israeli Relations high schools and colleges. please call the Jewish Studies Office, Israel-Arab Conflict 718-997-4530, or consult the and Peacemaking The Speakers Bureau is composed center’s website, www.qc.cuny.edu/ of outstanding faculty members from Jews and Film centerforjewishstudies. Speakers Queens College who are associated Jewish-Christian Relations must be booked at least six weeks in with the Jewish Studies Program on Jewish History: Ancient, advance. campus. Many are award-winning Medieval, and Modern scholars, teachers, and internationally East European Jewry recognized figures whose opinions on historical and contemporary issues are German Jewry much sought after by academicians Sephardi Jewish History and laypeople alike. They are spe- and Culture cialists in Jewish history, sociology, American Jewry philosophy, political science, music, New York City media, and language and literature. Jewish Humor Jewish Labor Movement American Jewish Literature Jewish Music/Jews and Music Jewish Thought, Philosophy, and Messianism Women in Judaism and Jewish Life Yiddish Language, Literature, and Culture

21 Achievements & Distinctions

FACULTY NOTES

The faculty associated with Jewish (IUP, 2013), won the 2013 National meeting in Florida, and the Institute of Studies at Queens College are Jewish Book Award, the Frankel Current World Affairs in Washington, exceptional scholars and award- Prize in Contemporary History, and DC, elected him to membership. As a winning teachers. Some of their the Felix Gross Prize, and received panelist (with Prof. Elissa Bemporad highlights are listed below. an honorable mention for the Jordan and Rabbi Moshe Shur), Prof. Bird Schnitzer Prize in Modern Jewish spoke about “The Theological Back- History. She is now working on a ground of The Dybbuk”—part of a RIKKI ASHER book entitled Legacy of Blood: Jews, celebration of the QC Drama Dept.’s Secondary Education Pogroms, and Ritual Murder in the presentation of Sh. Ansky’s play. He is the recipient of the New York City Lands of the Soviets, to be published also was named to the Advisory Board Higher Education Art Educator of the by Oxford University Press. She also of the European Humanities Universi- Year Award from the New York City is co-editing, with Prof. Joyce War- ty in Vilnius, Lithuania (together with Art Teachers Association (NYCATA), ren, a volume on women and the gen- Prof. Evan Zimroth). At the college he which was presented to her in a cer- dered experience of genocide during gave a presentation at the Jewish Stud- emony at MoMA. Dr. Asher lectured the 20th century (Indiana University ies Faculty Seminar entitled “Mendele, in Baltimore at the National Art Edu- Press). In Spring 2016, she presented Chagall, and Me.” In December he cation Association conference, “When her work at Stanford and at Brandeis was re-elected to the Board of Direc- Women Pursue Justice,” giving a talk University. During the Fall of 2016, tors of the North American Associa- about a mural project in Bedford- she will be a fellow at the Jack, tion for Belarusian Studies. He lec- Stuyvesant, Brooklyn in honor of Joseph, and Morton Mandel Center tured about “The Amazing World of Shirley Chisholm and other women for Advanced Holocaust Studies in Yiddish” at the Elmont Jewish Center. activists. Together with Prof. Mark Washington, DC. In April of 2013 he chaired the Belar- Rosenblum and Dr. Amy Winter, Dr. usian Panel at the annual conference Asher also co-curated “Windows and THOMAS E. BIRD of the Association of Nationalities at Mirrors: Reflections on the War in Columbia University. Afghanistan,” which was exhibited European Languages at the Godwin-Ternbach Museum at & Literatures Queens College, Dec. 2010–Jan. 2011. was a faculty member in a National FRANCESCA BREGOLI Endowment for the Humanities History Institute at Columbia is an Associate Professor of History ELISSA BEMPORAD University; the 2013 and the Joseph and Oro Halegua History theme was “America’s Professor of Greek is an Assistant Professor of History Russophone Refugees and Sephardic Studies. and occupies the Jerry and William and Immigrants, 1917 Her research focuses Ungar Chair in East to the Present.” In the on the cultural and European Jewish His- summer of 2012 he became Associate social history of tory and the Holocaust Editor, then Acting Editor, of Yiddish/ Italian and Western at QC. She teaches a Modern Jewish Studies. In July 2012 Sephardi Jews during the 18th centu- variety of courses on Prof. Bird was interviewed by Belaru- ry. Currently she is working on a proj- Russian and Eastern sian State TV on “The Belarusian ect about kinship and emotional ties European Jews, women and gender, Presence in Queens,” and in August he in a Jewish family with members in and genocide. She is the 2015–2016 chaired the symposium, “Soviet Yid- various Mediterranean ports. During National Endowment for the Humani- dish Writers” at the YIVO Institute in the past academic year, Prof. Bregoli ties (NEH) Senior Scholar at the Cen- Manhattan. In November he served as served as acting director of the Center ter for Jewish History in Manhattan. the Queens College chapter delegate for Jewish Studies at the CUNY Her first book, Becoming Soviet Jews: to the 43rd Phi Beta Kappa Triennial Graduate Center. She presented her The Bolshevik Experiment in Minsk

22 research at Ohio State University, the (in Israel) Speak (Israel, 2003), is and Jewish Studies scholar Catherine Huntington Library, and the University about the Israeli Mizrahi social upris- Chalier was among the keynotes invit- of California–Irvine. She is the author ing during the 1970s. It was selected ed to speak along with International of Mediterranean Enlightenment: to be shown at many festivals around Garbriel Marcel scholar Brendan Livornese Jews, Tuscan Culture, and the world. His next film project will Sweetman. Prof. Doukhan also was Eighteenth-Century Reform (Stanford explore the concept of Jewish statehood invited to present a keynote address at University Press, 2014, finalist for the throughout Jewish history. the University of Cauca in Popayan, National Jewish Book Award in the Colombia this past November, where categories of Sephardic Studies and HARRIET DAVIS KRAM she presented her most recent work on Writing Based on Archival Materials). History Levinas’ epistemology. She has a forth- She is currently co-editing, with David is working on a revision of No More coming book with Routledge entitled Ruderman, Connecting Histories: a Stranger and Alone, a study of Biblical Portraits of Exile, scheduled Jews and Their Others in the Early immigrant Jewish women during the for release in 2016. Modern Period for Penn Press. Progressive Era. She published an Additionally, she is a book review edi- article on the Clara de Hirsch Home LIBA H. ENGEL tor for the AJS Review. (1897–1927), and is completing a Elementary & Early Childhood study on “The Inmates of the Clara de Education SAMI S. CHETRIT Hirsch Home.” She lectures widely on had a recent conference presentation Classical, Middle Eastern & Asian behalf of the Center for Jewish Studies published: “Democratic Education Languages & Cultures at communal organizations, and also in Practice: A Case is advisor and coordinator of the lectures for the New York Council for Study of the Demo- Hebrew language program. A Moroc- the Humanities, which has listed her as cratic School, Hadera, can-born Jew raised in one of its “star lecturers.” Two of her Israel.” Other publica- Israel, he writes and popular lectures include “Jewish Com- tions include “A Case publishes poetry, prose, munal Organizations” and “Rebels in Study: Implementation and research, and pro- Red Kerchiefs” about Jewish women of Janusz Korczak’s Pedagogy in the duces documentary activists in the U.S. and Eastern Europe Democratic School, Hadera, a Contem- films. Dr. Chetrit’s from the late-19th century through the porary Israeli School”; “Dor le dor: book, Intra-Jewish Conflict in Israel: end of World War I. Studies in the History of Jewish Edu- White Jews, Black Jews, was published cation in Israel and the Diaspora”; and by Routledge (London and New York, ABIGAIL DOUKHAN “Experiment in Democratic Education: 2009). His other recent books are Yehu- Philosophy Dewey’s Lab School and Korczak’s dim (Jews), a poetry book released by is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy Children’s Republic,” in Jewish Social Nahar Books (Israel, 2008), and Ein and holds the Pearl and Nathan Studies. Habuba (Doll’s Eye), a novel (Hargol- Halegua Family Am Oved Publishers, Israel, 2007). Professorship in Ethics ARNOLD FRANKLIN A forthcoming book project is about and Tolerance, sup- History the Mizrahi voice in Israeli poetry. In ported by the Pearl and is Associate Professor of History and 2009 Dr. Chetrit finished his second Nathan Halegua Family Director of the Jewish Studies pro- documentary film, Azi Ayima (Come, Foundation. This past gram and Center for Mother, Israel), about his mother’s year, Prof. Doukhan co-organized an Jewish Studies. His classmates in Morocco 60 years ago. international philosophy conference research focuses on The film was selected for the 2009 around the theme of the “Redemption Jewish social, politi- DocAviv and Darom film festivals in of Feeling” at Queens College with phi- cal, and intellectual Israel. His first film, which he wrote losophy colleague Anthony Malagon. life in the medieval and co-directed, The Black Panthers International Emmanuel Levinas Islamic world. His article, “Untidy

23 History: Reassessing Communal Vol. 28, 1, Spring 2008; and “Angelina community. This past year he lectured Boundaries in Light of the Cairo Muniz-Huberman, La burladora de as a Fulbright Senior Specialist in Geniza Documents,” appeared in Age Toledo,” in World Literature Today. Poland, delivering talks at the Univer- of Transition: Byzantine Culture in Her monologues were performed at sity of Wroclaw, Warsaw University, the Islamic World, Helen Evans, ed. the Center for Jewish History, NY Jagellonian University (Krakow), as (Yale University Press, 2015). He also (2007); her latest play Preludes and well as in South Africa. At the end of authored an article on the medieval monologue Lot’s Wife were performed the year he presented “Generations and Iraqi scholar Aaron Ibn Sarjado that at the Hasimta Theatre in Jerusalem in Succession in Hasidism: New Aspects” was published in the Encyclopedia 2008. Dr. Glickman received a PSC/ at the annual meeting of the Associa- of the Bible and its Reception (De CUNY Award in 2007–08. She has tion for Jewish Studies in Boston. Gruyter). In March he gave a talk at lectured on Latin American Jewish the Institute for Advanced Study in cinema and theatre, and has read from LEO HERSHKOWITZ Princeton on his book, This Noble her short stories at various public insti- History House, and in April he spoke at tutions and Jewish centers. has centered much of his work on the Brandeis University about his research study of the early pre-19th-century on David ben Joshua Maimuni. SAMUEL HEILMAN Jewish community of Sociology New York City and NORA GLICKMAN was awarded the highest university has lectured widely on this subject to vari- Hispanic Languages & Literatures and rank of Distinguished Professor by ous groups, including CUNY Graduate Center CUNY and won the Jewish Historical is Associate Editor of Modern Jewish the Marshall Sklare Society of England and the Ameri- Studies, with a special issue devoted Memorial Award for can Jewish Historical Society. He to Hispanic Jewish his lifetime of scholar- also has published extensively in the Literature (2007); ship from the Asso- publications of the American Jewish co-editor of the Latin ciation for the Social Archives, American Jewish Historical American Jewish Stud- Scientific Study of Jewry. He is the Society, and the Holland Society’s de ies Association Bul- Harold Proshansky Chair in Jewish Halve Maen, and is presently work- letin and member of its Studies at the Graduate Center, and ing on a study of Jews in 1790 in New Executive Board; and President of the also serves as the Editor-in-Chief of York City. He mostly uses primary American Association of Professors Contemporary Jewry, the premiere archival sources, thereby presenting of Yiddish. She organized a LAJSA scholarly journal on the social scien- Colloquium at the Graduate Center on tific study of Jewry. Recently he pub- new and challenging interpretations of “The Current State of Latin American lished The Rebbe: The Life and After- the history of this period. In recogni- Ashkenazi and Sephardic Studies” life of Menachem Mendel Schneerson, tion of his efforts, he was awarded the (2007). Her publications include a co-authored with Menachem Friedman prestigious Lee Max Friedman Award selection of monologues in Claves para (Princeton, 2010), which won the by the American Jewish Historical el teatro de Nora Glickman (2007) and National Jewish Book Award. In addi- Society in 2008 and an honorary Doc- film reviews. Her book reviews include tion, Prof. Heilman gave the keynote tor of Humane Letters in 2006 from “El tiempo y las palabras: Literature address at the Bar-Ilan University the Hebrew Institute of Religion as a y cultura Judeo-hispanoamericana Conference on Cultural Vitality and “beloved professor of History, Consci- contemporaneas,” Steve Sadow, ed., Jewish Education. He lectures widely entious Teacher . . . whose scholarly in LAJSA Bulletin Vol. 27, 2, 2008; on various topics, including an exten- research and writing have given the “Paula Varsavsky, El resto de su vida,” sive interview on Religion and Ethics academic world an appreciation for in Hispanamerica, 2007; “Moshe Liba, with PBS focusing on the difficulties and a deeper understanding of the Dos Pintele Yid,” in LAJSA Bulletin, of leaving the ultra-Orthodox Jewish presence and contributions of Jews

24 in the days of New Amsterdam until Proceedings of the 10th International Cultural Experience at Circle Lodge, the present day.” Kant Congress, published by de Sylvan Lake, NY. Gruyter Publishers, Berlin. SARI KISILEVSKY KRISTINA RICHARDSON Philosophy STEVEN KRUGER History is Assistant Professor of Philosophy. English recently had her book, Difference and Previously she held the Pearl and Prof. Kruger published The Spectral Disability in the Medieval Islamic Nathan Halegua Chair in Ethics Jew: Conversion and Embodiment World: Blighted Bod- and Tolerance. In addition to her in Medieval Europe (University of ies (Edinburgh Univer- affiliation with Jewish Studies at Minnesota Press, 2006). sity Press, 2012) issued Queens College, Prof. Kisilevsky in paperback (2014). is a scholar with CUNY School of CHAVA LAPIN The book also was Law, where she teaches philosophy Classical, Middle Eastern & Asian distributed in North of law, political philosophy, and Languages & Cultures America by Columbia University ethics. She received the Faculty continues to teach and lecture Press. For the 2014–2015 academic Publication Program Fellowship to academic and public-interest year, she served as a postdoctoral Award for the Spring 2011 semester, audiences about the cultural and researcher at the University of Bonn and the college’s President’s Award literary traditions of Eastern in Germany, where she worked on an for Innovative Teaching in 2010. European Jewry and the flowering autograph manuscript from historians Additional achievements include of that legacy in more recent times. of 15th- and 16th-century Mamluk Force and Freedom: Workshop In Spring 2008 she presented and Ottoman Syria. Prof. Richardson on Arthur Ripstein’s Force and “The Power of the Proverb” to the recently completed a two-year fel- Freedom: Kant’s Moral and Legal International Resources Center at the lowship (2012–2014) from the Gerda Philosophy, organized with Martin Queensborough Public Library, and Henkel Foundation, based in Düssel- Stone, Cardozo/New School and in 2009 she gave a lecture entitled dorf, Germany. She also worked at the presentation of Lon Fuller’s The Case “Loshn un Shteyger” (Language Institut für Arabistik und Islamwis- of the Speluncean Explorer to the and Lifestyle) to a broad array of senschaft in Münster, Germany, where Honors in Social Science 200. She participants in a four-day EPYC she began her second book project, a served as Program Committee Chair conference at the YIVO Institute history of blue- and green-eyed peo- (with Jonathan Peterson, University for Jewish Research. Her recent ples of the medieval Islamic world. of Toronto) of Philosophy of Law publications include “The Unknown and Social and Political Philosophy Folk Poet—A Lamentation on DAVID RICHTER for the 2010 Congress of the the Holocaust,” an analysis of the English Canadian Philosophical Association. hitherto unknown and unpublished published “Keeping Company in In 2011 she presented “Security, poetry of Felix Horn, a survivor who Hollywood: Toward an Ethics of the Liberty, and Procedural Justice: describes for the first time, in verse, Nonfiction Film,” Rethinking the Balance,” at Nassau the destruction of Mogielnica and focusing largely on Community College, and “Easy Cases his personal saga in Vol. CXII of Stephen Spielberg’s and Social Sources: Toward a New Die Zukunft, a 112-year-old literary Munich. It appeared Defense of Legal Positivism,” at Yiddish journal (the oldest extant in the journal The Nature of Law: Contemporary to this day). She also conducted a Narrative, 15:2 (May Perspectives, MacMaster University, week of advanced classes in Yiddish 2007). He was invited to contribute Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. She language and literature (in Yiddish) “Robert Alter and the Resistance to contributed a paper for “Equity, and focused on the 150th birthday Theory” to the Academic Roundtable Necessity and the Rule of Law,” of Sholem Aleichem for the Jewish on Alter’s biblical translations

25 and interpretations, published in Foucault and Heidegger: Critical an award for his work in the field of Expositions 2:2 (2008). His essay Encounters (University of Minnesota Religion, Conflict, and Reconcilia- “Genre, Repetition, Temporal Press, 2003); Experiments in Thinking tion: “Insight on Incitement: A Public Ordering: Some Aspects of Biblical the Holocaust: Auschwitz, Moder- Education Program on Israeli-Pales- Narratology” was translated into nity and Philosophy (Polish edition: tinian Understanding.” In Fall 2009 Mandarin and republished in the Wydawnicto Naukowe “Scholar,” he was appointed director of a new Chinese edition of The Blackwell 2004); and Reading Nietzsche at the initiative devoted to fostering racial Companion to Narrative Theory Margins (Purdue University Press, and ethnic understanding. This initia- (Beijing: Peking University Press, 2008). For the past few years Prof. tive has been awarded a $285,000 2009). In addition, he reviewed Rosenberg has served as co-editor of grant by the U.S. Department of Northrop Frye’s The Educated the electronic journal Foucault Stud- Education and helps facilitate conflict Imagination and Other Writings on ies, and as of March 2007 has been resolution training of Queens College Critical Theory, 1933–1963 for the managing editor. In 2008 he served students, and engage members of the University of Toronto Quarterly, 77.1 as Visiting Professor of Philosophy broader Queens community. Prof. (Winter 2008). Prof. Richter spoke at the Copenhagen Business School Rosenblum co-edited The Jewish on “Rereading/Rewriting the Story of in Denmark. Peking University has Condition, Challenges and Response: Korah” at Congregation Habonim in bought the rights to translate into Chi- 1938–2008, a collection of essays Manhattan (2009), and was invited to nese Foucault and Heidegger: Criti- that assesses the state of world Jewry the plenary lecture, “Difficulty and cal Encounters (2010). from competing perspectives (Trans- Recalcitrance in Biblical Narrative: action Publishers, New Brunswick Judges 19–21 and Job 42,” at the and London, 2008). He also authored MARK ROSENBLUM International Narrative Conference in “After Rabin: The Malaise of the History Chongquing, China (2009). Israeli Zionist Left,” Robert O. Freed- has seen his project “America and man, ed., in Contemporary Israel: the Middle East: A Clash of Civiliza- Domestic Politics, Foreign Policy ALAN ROSENBERG tions or a Meeting of and Security Challenges (Westview Philosophy Minds” continue to Press, Boulder, 2008) and “The Quest has focused his scholarly work on garner considerable for Impact: Lessons Learned from philosophical issues relating to the national acclaim and the American Jewish Peace Camp,” Holocaust and issues that arise in con- media attention for in Robert O. Freedman’s Israel and nection to psychoanalysis as well as its requirement that the United States: Six Decades of key themes in continental philosophy, Jewish and Muslim students immerse US–Israeli Relations, Westview value theory, and philosophy of the themselves in the opposing group’s Press, 2012. He was selected by the social sciences. He is the co-author history relative to the Middle East Forward newspaper as one of the of over 80 journal articles and book conflict and construct a compelling 50 most influential American Jews. chapters. He also is co-editor of “narrative” that supports the oppos- Prof. Rosenblum continues to serve as numerous books, including Echoes ing viewpoint. The program has been director of the Ibrahim Student Scholar from the Holocaust: Philosophical featured in the New York Times and Middle East Leadership and Dialogue Reflections on a Dark Time (Temple the Chronicle of Higher Education Program with Queens College, which University Press, 1988); Healing Their as well as on CBS-TV national news, includes Saudi Arabia and Israel as book- Wounds: Psychotherapy and Holo- National Public Radio, and a host of ends to an immersion in Middle East caust Survivors (Praeger, 1989); Psy- other electronic and print media after culture and society. choanalytic Versions of the Human receiving a $100,000 grant from the Condition (New York University Ford Foundation. Prof. Rosenblum Press, 1998); Contemporary Portray- was selected by the Clinton Global als of Auschwitz: Philosophical Chal- Initiative as one of two winners of lenges (Prometheus Books, 2000);

26 IMANUEL RYBAKOV MIRYAM SEGAL with local Jewish groups planning Jewish Studies Classical, Middle Eastern & Asian for the 221st General Assembly is a researcher on the history and Languages & Cultures and beyond. He also chairs the culture of the Bukharian Jews and is Associate Professor and Chair Ecclesiastical Relations Committee Adjunct Professor of the Classical, Middle Eastern & on the Council of the Presbytery of Jewish Studies Asian Languages & of Southern New England. A at Queens Col- Cultures Department, winner of Queens College’s 2005 lege, CUNY. From and director of the Presidential Excellence in Teaching 2005–2013 he served Religious Studies pro- Award for Adjuncts and chair of as President of the gram. In November, the selection committee for several Association of the Bukharian Jewish she gave a talk on years, he has taught at the college Youth of the USA “Achdut-Unity.” law and narrative at a Jewish Law for over 20 years. Prof. Shippee and He has published more than 100 Association conference in Toronto. Philip Culbertson edited The Pastor: articles about Bukharian Jews in That same month she also presented Readings from the Patristic Period, Russian, Hebrew, and English in two biblical texts at the Text Study which has been republished by the Bukharian Times, the Bukhar- Series for the Center for Jewish Fortress Press. ian Jewish Community Center, New Studies at the CUNY Grad Center. York; Menorah, World Congress Her piece on Hebrew sound, “From SHEILA SPECTOR of the Bukharian Jews, Israel; and Hatikvah to KISS (or, the Sounds English Haiton HaBukhari, Brit Yotzey of a Jewish Nation),” appeared in is the author of Byron and the Jews: Bukhara, Israel. He is a co-author the spring 2016 issue of the AJS A Study in Translation (Wayne State of The History of the Bukharian Perspectives. University Press, 2010). Her essays Jews (2 vols., New York, 2005, include “Byron and the Bund: The World Congress of the Bukharian ARTHUR SHIPPEE New York Connection between the Jews & Club “Roshnoyi-Light”); Religious Studies British Poet and Russian-Jewish and Kekokhavim Leolam Vaed gave the inaugural lecture for the Revolutionaries.” She was selected (Israel, 2010, World Congress of the newly created Interpretations of for inclusion in Byron’s Transatlantic Bukharian Jews with the support Ancient Judaism Influence and Reputation (eds. of Makhon Ben Zvi). In 2011 Prof. Series in April 2013, Mathew Scott and Joel Pace). Her Rybakov published a study guide to extending the popular publications include Orientalism: the language of the Bukharian Jews, Biblical Archaeology Contextual Approaches and Easy Bukharian. He also rendered Series, and in March Pedagogical Practices (Diane Long assistance in preparing The Bukhar- 2014 addressed the Hoeveler and Jeffrey Cass, eds., ian Jews, Encyclopedic Dictionary Jewish Studies Faculty Colloquium Columbus: Ohio State University (New York, 2009, Club Roshnoyi- analyzing how the term “anti- Press, 2006); “A Kabbalistic Reading Light). In 2014 he published (in Semitic” misrepresents the ideas of Jerusalem’s Prose Plates,” invited Russian) The Bukharian Jewish and history of the New Testament for inclusion in Women Read Merchant Class (Bukharian Jew- in a lively talk entitled “The Anti- William Blake: “Opposition Is True ish Youth of the USA, Achdut: New Semitic New Testament: Really?” Friendship” (Helen P. Bruder, ed.); and York, 2014); he is currently working An ordained Presbyterian minister, the forthcoming I give you the end of on an English version. he served as Commissioner to the a golden string: A Kabbalistic Guide 220th General Assembly (2012), and to Blake’s “Jerusalem” (manuscript was quoted in the New York Times completed). Prof. Spector’s lectures after the Divestment motion was and readings include “Objections to defeated; he subsequently worked Objects,” a special session for the

27 2007 International Conference on BELLA TALER May 2011 Prof. Zimroth delivered Romanticism, “Romantic Objects,” Benjamin S. Rosenthal Library the keynote address “The Limits held in Baltimore; “Byron and the manages a Lucius N. Littauer Grant (if Any) of Holocaust Discourse” at Jews,” presented at a 2007 Queens for the library, enabling the purchase a conference on “The Problems of College Center for Jewish Studies of new Holocaust publications each Literary Genres,” University of Lodz, Faculty Colloquium, and “Byron year. She has been able to purchase Poland. The essay was published in and the Russian Revolution,” 251 volumes (231 titles) over the past April 2012 in the journal Kinds and presented at the 2006 International several years, and this past year was Styles of Criticism. In June 2011 she Conference on Romanticism, able to acquire an additional 42 titles. spoke at Cambridge on the use of the “Engaged Romanticism,” held at Among her recent achievements are computer for literary composition in Arizona State University. She was “The Jewish Studies Book Awards: a symposium on English language organizer and chair of “Romanticism A Collection Development Strategy usage, and later that year met as and Translation,” a special session for Non-Sectarian Academic a consultant with the Lithuanian for the North American Society for Libraries,” in Collection Building, government on Jewish heritage the Study of Romanticism 2006 Vol. 30, 1, 2011. She also delivered a issues. In Spring 2012 she was Conference, “Scientia and Techne,” paper, “Uncovering Jewish Resources named advisor for the Jewish Studies held at Purdue University. in the Benjamin Rosenthal Library,” program at the European Humanities at the Queens College Faculty University, Vilnius, and joined the JOSEPH SUNGOLOWSKY Colloquium, October 2011. Board of Advisors devoted to Jewish- Lithuanian reconciliation. In June European Languages & Literatures 2012 she spoke in Riga, Latvia, on published a chapter entitled “André EVAN ZIMROTH “Lithuania’s Jewish Heritage: History, Neher (1918–1988) et Erets Israel” English Memory and Public Policy” as part in La Pensée Juive contemporaine received the Medal of Honour (the of the annual commemorative events (Editions parole et Silence, 2008) and Lithuanian Millennium Star) from for the Isaiah Berlin Centenary, for “Hidden Children in France (1940– the Lithuanian which she had been co-organizer 1944): A Memoir” in The Hidden Ministry of Foreign in 2009. Additionally she published Child (XVI, 2008). He is the author Affairs in September “Lithuania’s Jewish Issues as Seen in of “Rabbi Joseph Sinzheim, Presi- 2009 for “the the U.S.: Problems and Advances,” dent of Napoleon’s Sanhedrin and fostering of friendly Litvak Heritage Conference: “No First Chief Rabbi of France,” which relations between the Simple Stories,” University College appeared in Midstream (Winter 2009) Lithuanian and Jewish nations.” The London, December 2012, and and of “Holocaust and Autobiogra- medal was presented to her by the “Virginia, Lydia and Foreignness,” phy” published in Bloom’s Guides: Foreign Minister of Lithuania in a 23rd Annual Virginia Woolf “Wiesel’s Night” (Chelsea House, ceremony at the Lithuanian Consulate Conference, Vancouver, June 2013, 2009). He reviewed “Les Trains du in New York. That year she also a presentation on Virgina Woolf’s souvenir,” a World War II memoir gave the ASH Lecture at Clare Hall, attitudes to foreigners and Jews. Text by Victor Brombert, in Tsafon: A Cambridge on “Isaiah Berlin: Baltic Rain, an interactive video-installation Journal of Jewish Studies published Jew,” and in June 2010 was on the of Prof. Zimroth’s poem, “talk, YOU” by the Université Charles de Gaulle, organizing committee for the First was featured at the First Center for Lille, France (Winter 2009). Annual Isaiah Berlin Lecture in Riga, the Visual Arts, Nashville, TN, Feb.– Latvia, given by Anne Applebaum May 2013. on “The New Authoritarianisms.” In

28 Center for Jewish Studies Annual Graduation and Awards Ceremony

The Center for Jewish Studies and the Jewish Studies Program’s Annual Graduation and Awards Ceremony was held on June 2, 2016 following the college’s Commencement exer- cises. Proud parents, relatives and friends, faculty, and sponsors of the various awards were beaming with joy during the festivities at the Simon and Roslyn Gold Jewish Studies Library. In the warm and friendly ambiance of the Library, students and guests mingled and discussed their achievement, hopes, and aspiration for the future while reminiscing about their experiences at Queens College.

Enjoying the annual Jewish Studies Graduation & Awards Ceremony (left to right): Distinguished THE 2016 GRADUATE Professor of Sociology Samuel Heilman; Kayla S. Shelly, graduating minor, winner of the Award for Kayla S. Shelly Academic Excellence; Talya English, winner of the Stefa Berger Communal Service Award; and Arnold Franklin, Associate Professor of History and Director of the QC Center for Jewish Studies.

THE AWARD RECIPIENTS The M. Hratch Zadoian Student Essay Prize in Holocaust Studies (Established in memory of Ambassador Henry Morgenthau) Megan Casey Prize for Academic Excellence Kayla S. Shelly Stefa Berger Communal Service Award Talya English

Talya English, winner of the annual Stefa Berger Communal Service Award, with Eva Zimmermann, sponsor of the award established by her late mother, Betty Greenberg, sister of Stefa Berger.

29 Spotlight on Alumni: Philip Kaplan ’12

IN AN INTERVIEW WITH JEWISH STUDIES DIRECTOR ARNOLD FRANKLIN

Philip Kaplan professional Jewish a capella group, study that explored connections graduated from Six13, and a few weeks ago had the between Maimonides and thinkers Queens College in privilege of performing at a Jewish of the haskala. It was an awesome 2012 with a BA festival in Bialystok, Poland, which experience to take the lead in pursuing in Jewish Studies. was an amazing experience. I plan on my particular interest in Jewish We recently continuing to study hazzanut privately, thought, while still receiving patient, caught up with and hopefully when I finish rabbinical present, and thoughtful guidance him to discuss his school will find a synagogue looking throughout. experience at QC, what he’s been up to since graduation, and what his plans are for a rabbi who likes to sing and lead for the future. davening! Have you read any good Jewish Studies-related books recently? How did the Jewish Studies courses What have you been doing since you I’m a fan of Rabbi Lau’s series, The you took at QC have an impact on graduated? Sages, which I recently started. I’m your life? reading the volume that looks at the I’ve made some important personal I’m tremendously appreciative of my figures of the Talmud. It’s fascinating! discoveries since graduation, and as time at QC, and in particular, to the His work sheds light on, and supplies a result changed course a few times. Jewish Studies program. I didn’t grow background and context for, my daily Initially I was in a cantorial program up with a strong Jewish education, so studies as a rabbinical student. I think at the Jewish Theological Seminary it was wonderful to have the chance having historical context can seriously of the Conservative Movement. I was to immerse myself in Jewish history, deepen Talmud study. on that track for two years, first in philosophy, language and literature. New York and then in Israel, until I I was able to see that my culture and If you could come back and teach decided to make a switch to rabbinical religion are filled with intellectual any course you wanted at QC, what school at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, pursuit and rigor. would it be? an Orthodox institution, where I’m currently a student. I think it would be interesting to teach Do you have any advice for students a course on the history and develop- who are considering taking Jewish What made you decide to major in ment of the prayer book, which serves Studies courses? Jewish Studies? as the basis for a coherent, meaning- Yes. Definitely try to take a variety ful, and shared religious experience. I always had an interest in history of courses with a number of different The liturgy offers a unique perspec- and philosophy. And when I began to professors, and then when you find tive on the development of the Jewish see that my path was leading towards something that really intrigues community. Halakha, philosophy, Jewish leadership and community you, use all the amazing resources geographical and cultural particulari- building, I thought it would be great available to you to delve deeper. ties, and the history of modern Jewish to gain a broader exposure to Jewish One of my favorite experiences at movements all played a role in forging texts and history. QC was an independent study I the siddur as we know it. did with Prof. Franklin. I took his You also studied music in college. course on Maimonides and found What are your plans for the future? Were you able to integrate your myself really interested in the way different intellectual pursuits? I hope to be a pulpit rabbi in a Modern Maimonides’ ideas continued to Orthodox synagogue in the U.S. On While I’m no longer formally influence Jewish thought and theology my journey I came to realize that studying to be a cantor, music is in later generations. I met with while I love music, my greatest pas- still a tremendous part of my life, Prof. Franklin, talked through some sions are in teaching and pastoral and I think it’s very much a part of ideas I had for further study, and we counseling. I hope to serve in both my relationship with Judaism and were able to design an independent these roles as a rabbi. Jewish Studies. I sing regularly with a

30 Our Publications

VOLUME XVII

The Center for Jewish Studies has a for the State of Israel Today, The Dean Volume V, Spring 2003, Rebecca Finkel growing number of significant academic Ernest Schwarcz Memorial Lecture, & Deborah Kahan, eds. publications, of interest to scholars and November 15, 2001 (sold out) Volume VI, Spring 2004, Nicole Iny & laypeople alike. The complete list appears Feige Kaplan, Should We Be Moaning Russel Neiss, eds. below; several publication covers are also About Cloning? Opportunities and reprinted above. Volume VII, Spring 2005, Michael Concerns in the New Genetics, The Gutman & Bracha Feit, eds. Individual publications may be purchased Dr. William Weil and Dr. Martha Weil directly from the Center. If you wish Memorial Lecture, March 6, 2002 Volume VIII, Spring 2006, David to obtain a specific publication, please Jenna Weissman Joselit, From Ghetto Greenberg & Lauren Talerman, eds. contact the Center, either by calling the to Suburb: American Jews on the Move, Volume X, Spring 2008, Ari Moshkovski, number above, or by email 1880s–1950s, The Jack, Louis and Ida, editor-in-chief. ([email protected]). and Rose Lummer Memorial Lecture, October 8, 2003 Volume XI, Spring 2009, editors-in-chief Faigy Abdelhak & Laura Sonneborn- THE HERBERT BERMAN Warren Zev Harvey, Judah Halevi’s Turetsky. MEMORIAL LECTURE Political Philosophy and Its Relevance Volume XII, Spring 2010, editors-in-chief Israel Singer, Holocaust Era Assets: The for the State of Israel Today, The Dean Daniella E. Adler & Chana Rosenthal. Moral Perspective, November 17, 1999 Ernest Schwarcz Memorial Lecture, (sold out) November 19, 2003 (sold out) Volume XIII, Spring 2011, editors- Elisheva Carlebach, The Death of Simon in-chief Natalie Davidson & Camelia Abeles: Jewish-Christian Tension in QUEENS COLLEGE JOURNAL OF Serghie. Seventeenth-Century Prague, JEWISH STUDIES: A STUDENT Volume XIV, Spring 2012, editor-in chief, November 7, 2001 PUBLICATION Camelia Serghie. Suzanne Last Stone, Between Truth Volume I, Spring 1999, Michael Adler & and Trust: The False Prophet as Self- Daniel Chung, eds. Volume XV, Spring 2013, editors-in Deceiver?, October 29, 2003 chief, Daniella Chaim & Laura Meltzer. Volume II, Spring 2000, Elana Ducat & OCCASIONAL PAPERS Malka Epstein, eds. Volume XVI, Spring 2014, editors-in chief, Allison Teicher & Daniella Chaim. Geoffrey Hartman, Holocaust Testimony, Volume III, Spring 2001, Dena Bieler & Volume XVII, Spring 2015, editor-in Videography and Education, The Marvin Leah Rabinovits, eds. chief, Allison Teicher. and Celina Zborowski Endowment Volume IV, Spring 2002, Rifka Libman Lecture, May 2, 2001 Schulman & Justin Engel, eds. Warren Zev Harvey, Maimonides’ Political Philosophy and Its Relevance

31 Our Publications

Other special publications available through the Center Nasser D. Khalili, Islamic Arts & Culture. Mark Podwal, Jerusalem Sky: Stars, Crosses, and Crescents. Mark Podwal, “Sweet Year” Wall Calendar.

Queens College Journal of Jewish Studies: A Student Public Conference/Symposium Proceedings Moses Maimonides: Communal Impact and Historic Legacy: Proceedings of an International Symposium, November The Jewish Condition: Challenges and Responses, edited by 16, 2003, edited by Benny Kraut [Essays William B. Helmreich, Mark Rosenblum, and David Schimel by Pro­fs. David Berger, Jane S. Gerber, [Essays by Norman Podhoretz, Michael Walzer, Irving Louis Warren Zev Harvey, and Allan Nadler] Horowitz, Alan Dershowitz, Malcolm Hoenlein, Leonard Fein, Susannah Heschel, and others] The Enduring Legacy of Yitzchok Leybush Peretz: Proceedings of a Our conference, “Is it 1938 Again?,” has been published by Literary and Cultural Symposium, March Transaction Publishers, April 2008, under the title The Jewish Condition: Challenges and Responses—1938–2008. 27, 2005, edited by Benny Kraut [Essays Limited copies are available, so rush your orders for this by Profs. Chava Lapin, Emanuel S. probing study of the peril and promise of the Jewish Goldsmith, Dan Miron, and Ken Frieden] condition at a special discount price of $15.00.

PURCHASE PRICE OF PUBLICATIONS (INCLUDING SHIPPING) The Herbert Berman Memorial Lectures: $4.00 each Peretz Symposium: $7.00 Occasional Papers: $4.00 each Journal of Jewish Studies: A Student Publication: Conference/Symposium Proceedings Maimonides Volumes I–VII and X–XI: $10.00 each; Conference: $12.00 Volumes VI, XII, XIII, XIV, XV & XVI: $12.00 each

32 About the Center for Jewish Studies

MISSION STATEMENT CENTER FOR JEWISH CULTURAL PROGRAMS STUDIES ADVISORY BOARD Biblical Archaeology Slide–Lecture Series The Center for Jewish Studies is the Professor Arnold Franklin, Director Lecture/Book Signings research and outreach arm of Jewish Dr. Diane Spielmann, Associate Director Studies on campus, promoting Jewish Music & Theater Series Professor Evan Zimroth, Associate Director knowledge, scholarship, and culture International Symposia and Conferences outside the formal classroom setting. CENTER FOR JEWISH STUDIES Kristallnacht Memorials Serving as a bridge between the EXECUTIVE BOARD Jewish Visual Arts Programs academic program and the community, Ernest Schwarcz, Founder* Student Seminars the Center has a wide array of exciting Rabbi Israel Mowshowitz, Chair Emeritus* PROGRAMS IN extracurricular events, making it a Herbert Berman, Esq., Chair Emeritus* THE COMMUNITY preeminent Jewish intellectual and Arthur Anderman, Esq., Chair Emeritus Faculty Speakers Bureau cultural resource for the entire region. Bernie Spear, Chair Community Initiative Through its imaginative programming, Pearl Halegua, Vice Chair the Center seeks to: PUBLICATIONS Gary Sazer, Vice Chair The Queens College Journal of Jewish n Engage the college and general Simon Gold, Esq.,* Honorary Vice Chair Studies: A Student Publication public in Jewish education and culture William Ungar, Executive Vice President* Occasional Papers Series by organizing lectures, symposia, Elsi Levy, Vice President for Cultural Affairs Conference/Symposium Proceedings conferences, films, music and theater performances. GENERAL BOARD SUPPORTERS OF Daniel Andron* ENDOWED LECTURES n Foster Jewish learning in the Elayne P. Bernstein-Schwartz* Arthur and Carole Anderman community. Barbara Finger, Esq. (in honor of the Rose and Nathan Halegua Morris Danzig Trust) n Publish and disseminate scholarly Jerry Kirschbaum Simon and Dr. Roslyn Gold proceedings to laypeople and scholars. Marilyn Kirschbaum Dr. Sheldon Landesman The Levy Family n Promote academic community Leon Levy* Jack Lummer Endowment among students and faculty. Amy Magid The Ruth and Sidney Schindler Family Marc Magid n Encourage and sustain the pedagogic The Ernest and Marta Schwarcz Leon Miller Endowment Fund and scholarly activities of the faculty Sandi Povman and students within the Jewish Studies The Stolar Family Judith Rosen, PhD Program at Queens College. Lillian Taynor* & Family Marcia Schorr Dr. Arden Smith Max and Dr. Jenny Weil Laurie Spear Marvin and Celina Zborowski Jeffrey S. Wiesenfeld Marvin Zborowski SPONSORS OF THE CINEMA ON SUNDAYS STAFF FILM/DIALOGUE SERIES Pat Tortorici Mr. & Mrs. Arthur A. Anderman Rita Shliselberg Mr. & Mrs. Melvin Dubin Elsi Levy

*Deceased

33 About the Center for Jewish Studies

SPONSORS OF Samuel Heilman NEW PROFESSORSHIPS FACULTY PROGRAMS Sociology THE JEWISH AND TEACHERS The Faculty Reading Group MUSIC & THEATER The Jerry and William Ungar in Jewish Civilization PERFORMANCE SERIES Leo Hershkowitz History Professorship in Jewish Studies Carole and Arthur Anderman Endowment, The Jewish Studies Sari Kisilevsky The Levy Family supported by Jerry* and William Faculty Colloquium Philosophy Ungar: FACULTY Michael Krasner Dr. Elissa Bemporad STUDENT AWARDS Ammiel Alcalay Political Science AND PRIZES Classical, Middle Eastern & The Joseph and Oro Halegua Benny Kraut* Center for Jewish Studies Award, Asian Languages & Cultures Professorship in Greek and History Sephardic Jewish Studies, supported by the Jewish Studies Isaac Alteras Program Steven Kruger supported by the Pearl History and Nathan Halegua Family English Jewish Studies Academic Foundation: Rikki Asher Excellence Prize, Chava Lapin Art Education Dr. Francesca Bregoli Classical, Middle Eastern & supported by the Jewish Studies Elissa Bemporad Asian Languages & Cultures The Pearl and Nathan Halegua Program History, Jerry and William Ungar Family Professorship John O’Brien Professor of Jewish Studies in Ethics and Tolerance, Stefa Berger Communal Service History Award, supported by the Pearl Thomas E. Bird supported by Eva and Lenny Arbie Orenstein and Nathan Halegua Family European Languages & Zimmerman Copland School of Music Foundation: Literatures Dr. Abigail Doukhan Kristina Richardson William Fenster Memorial Francesca Bregoli History Scholarship, History, Joseph and Oro VISITING AND ADJUNCT supported by the Fenster Family Halegua Professor in Greek PROFESSORSHIPS David Richter Endowment Fund and Sephardic Jewish English Dean Ernest Schwarcz Studies Visiting Eminent Professorship in Alan Rosenberg Morris Flatow Memorial Jewish Philosophy, Sami S. Chetrit Philosophy Scholarship, Classical, Middle Eastern & supported by the Ernest and supported by the Flatow Family Asian Languages & Cultures Mark Rosenblum Marta Schwarcz Endowment Fund Endowment Fund History and by Queens College Sarah Covington Shulamit Lisa Gabow Scholarship Imanuel Rybakov History The Rabbi Israel and Libby Endowment Fund, History Mowshowitz Adjunct Harriet Davis-Kram supported by Jack and Lisa Gabow Professorship in Politics and History Miryam Segal Classical, Middle Eastern & Religion, Ruth Hollander Award, Abigail Doukhan Asian Languages & Cultures supported by the supported by Philosophy, Pearl and Nathan Mowshowitz Endowment Fund Dr. Charles H. Hennekens Halegua Family Professor in Arthur Shippee Ethics and Tolerance Philosophy The Jerry and William Ungar Jan Sinnreich Award for Adjunct Professorship in Writing Excellence, Rabbi Moshe Shur Liba H. Engel Holocaust Studies, supported by Elementary & Early History supported by the Jerry* and Leonore Sinnreich Childhood Education Joseph Sungolowsky William Ungar Endowment Fund Arnold Franklin European Languages & M. Hratch Zadoian Essay Prize History Literatures Rose & Morris Danzig Visiting in Holocaust/ Genocide Studies, Professor in Jewish Studies, endowed by M. Hratch Zadoian Nora Glickman Izabella Taler established by Carole and Hispanic Languages & Jewish Studies Bibliographer Arthur Anderman Literatures Benjamin Rosenthal Library

*Deceased

34 A Note from Elsi Levy

An interesting the other gave in the thousands, and ensure the continuation of this impor- parallel appears that’s all right. They both felt their tant organization, which supports stu- on the Web, acci- responsibility to give back to society, dents and the Jewish community. dentally setting not to just take, consume, and leave. a good example The second difference becomes obvi- Planned Giving: Leaving a Legacy for for us as Jews. It ous and worrisome in that only one the Next Generation involves two men Leon Levy understood his responsi- If you want to ensure that the Center of the same name whose accomplish- bility to Jewish causes. He couldn’t for Jewish Studies at Queens College ments are mistakenly intertwined in help his people with millions of dol- will continue to serve and delight generations to come, you may wish extensive columns on our computers. lars, but he could give whatever was to consider making a planned gift. Both gentlemen died in recent years available within his means. There’s Planned giving helps you maximize and were leaders in their industries nothing wrong with helping Jews the tax benefits of your charitable and in their world involvements. Of with whatever we have—millions, donation while allowing you to the two, which is our Leon Levy and thousands, hundreds, whatever and provide a gift that you may not have which is the other? whenever we can. If each of us fol- thought possible. Regardless of your One Leon Levy’s estate recently left lows the path of our Leon Levy, giv- age or income, you can benefit from twenty-five million dollars to the New ing and doing what we can for causes estate planning, and planned giving. York Botanical Gardens. That’s not that will help our people survive, one There are many creative ways to our Leon Levy. One gave thirty mil- Leon Levy multiplied by the rest of provide a contribution to the Center lion dollars to City College. That’s not us right here, right now, can make the for Jewish Studies while enhancing our Leon Levy, either. One gave mil- difference throughout the world. It’s and safeguarding your own financial lions to museums, opera companies, that simple! Please give as you can, situation. For more information about planned giving, please contact the symphony orchestras, and archaeo- or rather, give as you must, to worthy Office for Institutional Advancement logical digs worldwide. Not our Leon Jewish causes. And also consider at 718-997-3920 and speak to one of Levy! He was the other one. But our leaving a bequest to the Center for our advisors. Leon Levy did give thousands of Jewish Studies at Queens College to dollars to our own Center for Jewish Studies, as well as QC Hillel, and thousands to Hillcrest Jewish Center, “Friends” of The Center and thousands to the Sephardic Like all Queens College Centers and Institutes, the Center for Jewish Studies must be Jewish Center of Forest Hills, all in financially self-sustaining. Its numerous free or nominally priced programs, publications, Queens. He gave thousands more to enhanced academic curricular offerings, and student scholarships simply would not be AIPAC and the Conference of Major possible without external funding assistance. The Center for Jewish Studies is, therefore, American Jewish Organizations, and most grateful for the gifts and grants that it receives from alumni, program patrons, elected public officials, and foundations, and is particularly thankful for the membership thousands to the Joint Distribution gifts ($36 and above) of those who have joined the Friends of the Center organization. Committee, and thousands to the American Sephardi Federation, and The Friends was established as an annual membership organization to maintain the thousands to the Center for Jewish functions and activities of the center. Monies of the Friends underwrite student scholar- ships, the student Journal of Jewish Studies, new courses, and public programs—for example, History, and Bar Ilan University and our “Is It 1938 Again?” conference attended by over 1,000 participants. Members of the Meir Panim and UJA, among many, Friends become active stakeholders in the Jewish Studies’ initiatives at Queens College many other recipients worldwide! The and can take heart that they are supporting vital and dynamic Jewish academic and intel- differences between our Leon Levy lectual/cultural programs. and the other Leon Levy are twofold. For Member Benefits, see page 37. First, one gave in the millions while

35 Friends of the Center

It is with deepest gratitude and appreciation that we publish or misidentified we apologize. Please alert our office and we will here the names of those who have contributed to the Center correct our database. Call 718-997-5730. for Jewish Studies at all levels as of July 31, 2016. The donors identified below include only those who have We have attempted to list member names as accurately as provided financial assistance to the Center between June 20, possible. If by chance your name has been omitted, misspelled, 2015 and July 31, 2016.

PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL Mr. & Mrs. David First Mr. & Mrs. Julius Cohn Mr. & Mrs. Leo Shliselberg ($10,000 and over) Mrs. Phyllis Freberge Ms. Ellen Cooper Ms. Adele Shub Mr. & Mrs. Arthur A. Anderman Ms. Judy Goldberg Ms. Edith Dressler Mr. Michael Shur Mr. and Mrs. Jack Gabow Dr. & Mrs. Robert Theodore Ms. Wendie Eigen-Weinstein Professor Moshe Shur Mr. & Mrs. Nathan Halegua Goldberg Mr. & Mrs. Werner Engelbert Ms. Shirley Smith Jerry** and William Ungar Hillcrest Jewish Center Dr. & Mrs. Howard Gage Dr. Diane Spielmann Mr. & Mrs. Howard Jacob Mr. & Mrs. W. Ginsburg Dr. & Mrs. Stanley Steinerman DEAN’S CIRCLE Mr. Robert S. Kaplan Ms. Esther Hirsch Goodman Ms. Renie Tell ($5,000–$9,999) Mr. & Mrs. Henry Katz Mr. & Mrs. Mark H. Graber Mr. & Mrs. Jerome Tiger Levy Family Foundation– Mr. Robert Kenler Mr. & Mrs. David Greenberg Mr. Nicholas Tsounis Mrs. Elsi Levy Mr. & Mrs. Alfred Lavine Dr. & Mrs. Stanley Halpern Ms. Regina Vogelman Sinai Chapels Mr. & Mrs. Harold Lefkowitz Mrs. Helene Heisler Ms. Rosalie Weiner Mr. & Mrs. Robert Levy Ms. Ruth Hollander Ms. Dorothy Weinman Mr. & Mrs. George Nagelberg Mr. & Mrs. Mark Koppelman Ms. Esther Wertenteil FACULTY CIRCLE Mr. & Mrs. Hyman Portnoy Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Krochak Mr. Marvin Yablon ($2,500–$4,999) Mr. Arthur Rath Prof. Chava Lapin Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Spear Mr. & Mrs. Martin Resnick Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Lauer UNDER $36 Mr. Marshall Rubin Ms. Alyce Leibowitz Ms. Harriet Aliperta PATRON CIRCLE Ms. Ruth Schorsch Mr. Herbert A. Levy Ms. Muriel Drew ($500–$2,499) Mr. &Mrs. Edgar Schwartz Mr. & Mrs. Howard Levy Mr. & Mrs. Sam Dikowitz Mr. Edward Braun Mr. & Mrs. Alfons Sperber Mrs. Irma Levy Mr. Henry Ducat Ms. Lorelei Ennis, Ennis Family Mr. & Mrs. Sol Sturm Ms. Ruth Loewenstein Ms. Clara Lato Fund Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Wald Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Merkelson Mr. & Mrs. Leon Meyer Mr. & Mrs. Robert Levy Mr. Edward R. Weiss Ms. Linda Meyers Ms. Sonia Nalven Mr. Martin Messinger, The Dr. & Mrs. Norman Weiss Mr. & Mrs. Irving Miles Mr. & Mrs. Hal Perlstein Messinger Foundation, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Wiesenfeld Mrs. Miriam Mopper Mr. Stanley Pitkowsky Estate of Norman Mollov Ms. Linda Yee Oberstein Family Fund – Mr. & Ms. Sandy Prinz Mr. & Mrs. Leon Miller, Leon & Mr. & Mrs. Leonard Zimmerman Mrs. Robert Oberstein Mr. & Mrs. Sam Resnick Syma Memorial Trust Mr. Louis Osofsky Ms. Jeannette Rockove Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Nash SUPPORTER ($36–$99) Mr. Jeffrey Peltzer Ms. Jacqueline Rosay Mrs. Marcia Schorr Ms. Meryl Alpert Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Pomerantz Mr. Leonard Saltz Mrs. Stella Skura M s. Esther Andron Mr. & Mrs. Leonard Pulerwitz Ms. Claire H. Shefftz Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Zborowski Mr. & Mrs. Claude Ballin Mr. Carl Rabinowitz Ms. Margot Baum Dr. & Mrs. Michael Rosenberg SPONSOR ($100–$499) Ms. Vivian J. Beer Ms. Rozanne Rosenthal Dr. & Mrs. George* Axelrad Mr. Gary Berman Ms. Carol Rothbell Mr. & Mrs. Emanuel Bardash Mrs. Harriet Bildstein Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Ruskin Mrs. Felisa Bienstock Ms. Judith Brash Ms. Gladys Sherman Professor Thomas Bird Rabbi & Mrs. Raphael Butler Mr. & Mrs. Norman Sherman Mr. & Mrs. Norman Delman Mr. & Mrs. Boris Cohen Mr. & Mrs. Seymour Scherzer Dr. & Mrs. Bernard Edelstein Diane Cohen & Jack Grossman Ms. Roselyn Schwartz Ms. Lorelei Enis, Grant Family Ms. Francene Cohen Mr. & Ms. Joseph Schwarz Fund Ms. Sondra Cohen Ms. Sara Jane Sherman *Deceased

36 New Membership Benefits

PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL DEAN’S CIRCLE FACULTY CIRCLE ($10,000 AND OVER): ($5,000–$9,999): ($2,500–$4,999): ■ Luncheon with Director ■ A copy of Nasser D. Khalili’s ■ A copy of Nasser D. Khalili’s and pre-event dinners with our spectacular book Visions of Splendor in spectacular book Visions of Splendor in distinguished speakers. Islamic Art and Culture. Islamic Art and Culture. ■ A copy of Nasser D. Khalili’s ■ A copy of The Jewish Condition: ■ A copy of The Jewish Condition: spectacular book Visions of Splendor Challenges and Responses—1938–2008. Challenges and Responses—1938–2008. in Islamic Art and Culture. ■ Free tickets to all events; reserved ■ Free tickets to all events; reserved seating, free annual publications; ■ A copy of The Jewish Condition: seating, free annual publications, advance notices, auditing of classes; Challenges and Responses—1938–2008. advance notices; auditing of classes, listing in the Culture & Arts Guide. listing in the Culture & Arts Guide. ■ 2 DVDs of concerts and interfaith ■ ■ A copy of the renowned author dialogue. Two of the renowned author and illustrator Mark Podwal’s beautiful and illustrator Mark Podwal’s beautiful ■ Free tickets to all events, reserved children’s books: Jerusalem Sky: Stars, children’s book, Jerusalem Sky: Stars, seating; free annual publications; Crosses, and Crescents and Built by Angels, Crosses, and Crescents. advance notices, auditing of classes; The Story of the Old-New Synagogue. listing in the Culture & Arts Guide. PATRON CIRCLE ■ Two of the renowned author and ($500–$2,499): illustrator Mark Podwal’s beautiful ■ A copy of Nasser D. Khalili’s children’s books: Jerusalem Sky: Stars, spectacular book Visions of Splendor in Crosses, and Crescents and Built by Angels, Islamic Art and Culture. The Story of the Old-New Synagogue. ■ A copy of The Jewish Condition: Challenges and Responses—1938–2008. ■ Reserved seating; free annual publications, advance notices; auditing of classes; listing in the Culture & Arts Guide.

SPONSOR ($100–$499): ■ A copy of The Jewish Condition: Challenges and Responses—1938–2008. ■ Reserved seating; free annual publications; advance notices; auditing of classes; listing in the Culture & Arts Guide.

SUPPORTER ($36–$99): ■ Free annual publications; advance notices; listing in the Culture & Arts Guide. Photo: Leo Correa

Michael Resnick, Sinai Chapels, center, receiving recognition in 2015 for his support of the Kristallnacht Program throughout the years, with Bernie Spear, Chair of QC Advisory Board (left) and President Félix Matos Rodríguez (right).

37 Important Reasons Why Your Contribution Is a Wise Investment

A Distinguished Our Diverse and Asking Difficult Questions and Growing Faculty Talented Students and Providing Balanced six of whom have won the who speak dozens of languages Answers college’s coveted “Presidential and represent a multitude of to the most pressing issues facing Award for Excellence in Teaching.” different ethnic, racial, and reli- the Jewish People today. gious groups, all studying Jewish Creative Curriculum topics across more than a dozen New Community academic disciplines. That Has Won National Initiative Acclaim The Only Jewish Studies dramatically expands our and has been featured in the Journal in the Nation outreach program off campus which includes compelling Chronicle of Higher Education, New That Is Totally York Times, New York Jewish Week, interfaith dialogues and discus- National Public Radio, CBS-TV Student-Produced sions, powerful film series and national news, and a host of other The Journal’s motto, drawn from performances. electronic and print media. Pirkei Avot (4:1), is an invitation to join us: “Who is Wise? One who learns from everyone.” A Dynamic and Expanding Culture & ✎ Arts Program We hope you will take a few moments to fill out the enclosed that includes world-class scholars envelope and join us as a New Member or renew as a Friend of the and educators, renowned Center for Jewish Studies at Queens College. diplomats and political analysts, virtuoso musicians and singers, Join us and experience the Important Reasons why we are excited and and compelling cinema. proud.

38 Lacrosse Baseball Parking and Transportation Field Field Track and Free parking available on campus inSoccer the Fields evenings and on Sundays for LeFrak Concert Hall events: Tennis Courts Lot 15, Reeves Avenue. PS/IS Softball 499 Field 149th St.

GETTING TOTownsend QUEENS Harris COLLEGE High School BY CAR 6 f ff From Long Island and points East: f

Long Island Expressway to Exit f Melbourne Avenue Melbourne 23 (Main Street). Left at light and Rosenthal f Library Science Library The immediate left at nextBuilding traffic light Summit f FitzGerald (Horace Harding Express­way/ L.I.E. Art Center f Gym service road eastbound). Continue on service road to Reeves Avenue. Right f f turn150th onto St. Reeves and another right ontoCooperman Reeves Avenue Plaza f f 61st Road toGate parking 2 lot 15. See map on f this page. Powdermaker f Hall Gate 3 153rd St. From Manhattan2 and points West: Long Island Expressway toRemsen Exit 24 I Building Hall Lot15S (Kissena Blvd.). First right turn onto 15 88 Reeves Avenue and anotherHonors right onto Hall Alumni 61st Road to parking lot 15. See map. Quad Hall 15N Music Lot

Razran Reeves Avenue Reeves Building Avenue Reeves 15 BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATIONHall LeFrak 61st Rd. Take the Q17, Q25-Q34, or Q88 bus to Dining ConcertLeFrak Hall ConcertHall Hall the corner of Kissena Blvd. and ColwinHorace Klapper Harding Expressway (L.I.E. serviceHall Hall road). Buses can be coordinated7 with Horace Harding Expressway E, F,152nd M, R, St. or #7 subway trains. Long Island Expressway (Exit 24) Continuing Ed Delany Rathaus Elevator Access to LeFrak: Hall Hall Ed2 Ed1 Cross Reeves Avenue and walk through Colden Auditorium the opening in the big iron fence to the 88 Kiely Hall Gertz rear entrance of the LeFrak Concert Center Je erson G Building Hall. Pathway through the opening1 Hall in the fence leads directlyStudent into the Welcome Goldstein 17 Union Center King Theatre

Melbourne Avenue Melbourne Hall building. Proceed down theBook entrance Store 1 Kissena Boulevard hallway to the elevator on your left. Alumni An attendant will Studenttake you Union up in the Plaza 17 Parking Garage Main elevator to the Concert Hall level. This Public Safety Entrance is not a self-service elevator; it requires 25 Main the attendant with a special key. Stairs 34 25 Gate 1 Exit 34 Kissena from the ground floor, to the right of Kissena Boulevard Hall the entrance as you enter, also will take Ave. 65th you to the Concert Hall level. See map.

For Rosenthal Library, Room 230: Make a right turn onto Reeves Ave. (see “By Car,” above). Go to Gate 3 to enter campus; then follow map.

39 www.qc.cuny.edu/centerforjewishstudies | 718-997-5730 or -4530