FALL 2015 NEWSLETTER

Letter from the Director Dear Friends of Jewish Studies,

As the fall semester is drawing to a close, it is time to reflect and share with you news, students’ contributions and upcoming spring 2016 Jewish Studies courses.

Having returned to campus after spending last spring in India on a Fulbright-Nehru Scholarship, I am pleased to report that our students and faculty are as enthusiastic and committed to our program as before. I am also delighted to announce that Sanford Olshansky is joining the Jewish Studies faculty and will be teaching our “Jewish Life and thought” course this coming spring. Several of our students are planning on joining birthright trips to Israel this winter and others will be enrolled in our Tel Aviv University program later this summer. This past month, we welcomed to campus noted author and activist Letty Pogrebin (see photos and articles below), who gave a public presentation on her latest book “Single Jewish Male Seeking Soulmate.” While on campus, she met and discussed with our students her commitments to both and feminism. As far as student life goes, our Hillel @Rollins weekly dinners are very well attended by students, faculty, and community members. Overall, both Jewish Studies and community life at Rollins are thriving.

A few reflections on my Fulbright immersion experience in India. While in Delhi, I taught at Jindal Global University and contributed to their newly established Liberal Arts School, which will be sending students to Rollins next year for their dual degree program. My interactions with the students gave me an intimate understanding of this generation and the challenges they face as they try to maintain Indian traditions while assimilating into our globalized and interconnected world. During my Fulbright term, I had opportunities to travel to a number of universities and institutes in India as well as in Sri Lanka, and gave public lectures on topics such as the changing status of women in Judaism. My adventures in the subcontinent included visiting Kolkata and meeting with members of its historic Jewish community. While away, I also made good progress on my forthcoming volume on the comparative studies of and Judaism. Overall, it was an extraordinary professional and personal experience for me, as I interacted with folks from all walks of life, from our veggie Walla to philosophers, artists, and the community, whose origins are believed to be from the lost tribes.

In closing, I thank you for the support you continue to provide the Jewish Studies Program at Rollins College. Please consider joining us for any and every one of our programs.

Wishing you a joyful and light-filled Hanukkah and a Happy New Year!!

Sincerely, Yudit Greenberg Yudit Kornberg Greenberg, PhD George and Harriet Cornell Endowed Professor of Religion Director, Jewish Studies Program Co-Director, Center for India and South Asia Rollins College Winter Park, Florida 32789 407.646.2176 Fulbright-Nerhu Scholar, 2015 Instructor English ENG 231 The Bible as Literature O’Sullivan TR 2 - 3:15 p.m. History JEWISH HIS 120 Decade: Holocaust Norris TR 4 - 5:15 p.m. STUDIES Philosophy & Religion ICE 100HS Spiritual Identity Greenberg COURSES TR 9:30 - 10:45 a.m.

REL 217 Jewlsh Life & Thought Olshansky MW 1 - 2:15 p.m. SPRING 2016 REL 219 Islam: History & Beliefs French TR 2 - 3:15 p.m. Political Science POL 304 Middle East Politics Tatari MWF 11 - 11:50 a.m.

About the Jewish Studies Program: What other benefits does the program have to Jewish studies is the investigation of the Religion, history, and culture of the Jewish people and the study of the interaction offer students? Study Abroad programs at the school for overseas students of this culture with the civilizations of the world. at Tel Aviv University; January and/or May Field Study This program in Jewish studies at Rollins College identifies Courses in Israel; Summer Archaeological digs in Israel; and combines courses in the departments of Philosophy Jewish Studies Center in Prague. and Religion, English, Foreign Languages, Art, Music, and Service learning and internships in such local institutions Anthropology. Time periods and geographical areas covered as the Hebrew Day School, Sunday Schools, range from ancient Israel to contemporary American Society. Education and Resource Center; The Jewish Community The multidisciplinary approach of the program includes Center; Jewish Family service, and Kinneret, a Jewish biblical studies, art, music, archeology, literature, women’s home for the aged. Students seeking advice about this studies, and philosophy. interdisciplinary program may contact Who in particular would benefit from this Dr. Yudit K. Greenberg, Director. What are the course requirements for this minor? Six Jewish Studies minor? courses are required for a minor in Jewish Studies: 2 core The Jewish Studies minor may be particularly beneficial for courses, 3 electives, and a senior independent study students interested in graduate studies in Religious Studies, research paper. International Politics, History, Comparative Literature, Foreign Languages, Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies. PROFESSOR YUDIT GREENBERG, DIRECTOR George and Harriet Cornell Endowed Professor of Religion In addition, the Jewish Studies Minor serves students who Director of the Jewish Studies Program pursue the fields of education, social work, communal service, Department of Philosophy & Religion public administration, law, foreign service, the ministry Rollins College, Box 2773 and/or the rabbinate. Office: French House 205 . T. 407.646.2176 E-mail: [email protected] rollins.edu/jewishstudies When people find out that to see the world through the most integrative I’m a religion major they a perspective outside of and experiential aspect usually ask me if I’m planning one’s own. I had read Kafka of my education, which on becoming a nun or a before, I had studied the Old is of course one of the preacher. The answer is no. Testament at my Catholic cornerstones of a true When people find out that I high school, but I had never liberal arts education. have a Jewish studies minor looked at these texts from a Frequently, it is hard they frequently ask me if Jewish angle. for students to imagine WHY STUDY I’m planning on converting. how their studies will The answer to this question Within the Jewish studies assist them in their future is also no. So why study department, these subjects career path, however I judaism Judaism if I’m not Jewish? did not remain in the Ivory have developed tangible Through the Jewish studies Tower of academia, but research, writing, and if you aren’t department I have been able became real life experiences. analytical skills through to explore many different Through the department Jewish studies, as well as disciplines integral to a full and my studies of Judaism the confidence to explore JEWISH? liberal arts education; history, I have had the opportunity and understand different literature, international to study abroad in Israel, cultures and religions. relations, gender studies, and study in As a graduating senior -issy beham ’16 archaeology, just to name a the Czech Republic, have uncertain of exactly where few. For a non-, studying dinner with renowned my education will take me, the same subjects through Jewish feminist Letty Cottin I feel I have gained skills a different lens provides an Pogrebin, and volunteer and that will prove valuable in important challenge that is eventually work for a Jewish navigating an increasingly paramount to the study of non-profit. Jewish studies globalized job market and the liberal arts, the ability actually ended up becoming exploring future careers.

spending time with LETTY COTTIN POGREBIN -emily foster ’18

On November 9th, about and Me, among numerous which contributed to her the Holocaust. It was an a dozen students and other works. deep knowledge of, and enlightening evening during faculty members got the strong identification with which each of us shared our opportunity to meet and In addition to her public Judaism. She constantly views of religious identities, talk with Jewish author presentation in which she challenged norms and was intermarriage, and feminism. and feminist Letty Cottin spoke about her recent book one of the few girls of her A big thank you goes to Pogrebin who recently with Former Congresswoman time to have a bat . Letty Cottin Pogrebin for published her book Single Pat Schroeder, Ms. Pogrebin When asked about her spending the time with us Jewish Male Seeking enlightened us about her life book, Pogrebin explained and also a big thank you to Soulmate. Pogrebin, a as a Jewish feminist and how that the protagonist in Dr. Greenberg for planning founding editor and writer the two did not always mesh her book who is the child this dinner event! for the famous Ms. Magazine, well. Her father was very of Holocaust survivors is also the author of involved in the represents her unspoken bestseller Deborah, Golda, while she was growing up, childhood awareness of LIFE

Family & Friends of LETTY COTTIN POGREBIN Jewish Studies “SINGLE JEWISH MALE at Rollins College SEEKING SOUL MATE” PLEDGE CARD

Name Class Address City State Zip Phone Email

I/We would like to join with a leadership gift (left to right) Former Congresswoman Pat Schroeder, to the Jewish Studies Program for $ Rollins President Emerita Rita Bornstein, Letty Cottin Pogrebin, and Dr. Yudit Greenberg Please make checks payable to: Jewish Studies Program Rollins College 1000 Holt Ave. – 2773 Winter Park, FL. 32789-4499

Full gift enclosed Partial payment of $ enclosed

My or My Spouse’s employer will match all or some of this gift. Completed form(s) enclosed will be sent. Company

Designation Please use by gift where it is most needed. Please designate my gift for: Student scholarship for study in Israel Academic program support Distinguished Scholar-in- Residence Faculty/Staff Collaborative Re search Judaica Library Collection

Family & Friends Giving Circle • Friend $100 - 499 • Supporter $500 - 999 • Patron $1,000 - 4,999 • Sponsor $5,000 - 9,999 FRIDAY NIGHT • Benefactor $10,000+ SHABBAT