Education
Gratz College Launches America’s First Master’s Degree in Antisemitism Studies
PHILADELPHIA, February 22, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Gratz College is launching the first Master of Arts degree program in Antisemitism Studies in the United States in Fall 2024. This ground-breaking program will help fill the vacuum of knowledge about antisemitism across Jewish, non-Jewish, and governmental organizations responsible for generating policy to combat prejudice at a time of unprecedented Jew hatred.
It will:
• Provide an academic home for those seeking to develop both a deep theoretical and practical understanding of antisemitism;
• Help generate new and impactful research on the factors that contribute to growing antisemitism and test interventions that can successfully combat it; and
• Arm educators and practitioners with the most effective antisemitism pedagogy and programming.
Through degree concentrations in teaching, advocacy and research, graduates of this program will be uniquely qualified for prominent careers in education, think tanks, government relations, public policy, and community organizations (Jewish and non-Jewish).
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is eager to see this program take shape:
“We’re seeing a dangerous rise in antisemitism, hatred, and bigotry across our country – and it’s more important than ever that Pennsylvanians be equipped with a thorough knowledge of our shared history and the skills to discern fact from fiction. Gratz College is already renowned for its Holocaust and Genocide Studies programs, and I am encouraged the College is expanding upon that work with a new Master’s degree in Antisemitism Studies. I wish the faculty, staff, and especially the inaugural class of Antisemitism Studies students, great success in their work.”
The program is directed by Dr. Ayal Feinberg, antisemitism studies expert and Director of the Center for Holocaust Studies and Human Rights at Gratz College. The program boasts a distinguished interdisciplinary faculty from academia and leading public advocacy organizations. Despite its infancy, the degree has been endorsed by nearly one hundred scholars and public policy experts from around the world. Professor of Political Science at Kalamazoo College R. Amy Elman asserts, “With an emphasis on operationalizing knowledge, informed teaching and ethical advocacy, Gratz’s innovative graduate program fulfills a deep need in countering antisemitism.”
Gratz’s Antisemitism Studies program is also establishing ground-breaking partnerships with the world’s most prominent Jewish organizations and programs to combat antisemitism in the classroom, on campus, and in professional workspaces. In the first such partnership, Gratz and The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History have joined forces to launch the National Education Fellowship on Antisemitism. The aim of this fellowship is to generate and assess paradigm-shifting middle and high school curriculum to reduce Jew-hatred and prejudice more broadly.
As an early adopter of online education, a 128-year history of Jewish learning, and home to the world’s largest graduate program in Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Gratz is uniquely qualified to take on this necessary and overdue program.
On March 4, 2024, the master’s degree program will kick-off with a series of public lectures, including by scholars serving as affiliate faculty for the program. On April 2, 2024, Dr. Avinoam Patt, inaugural director of NYU’s Center for Study of Antisemitism and the Maurice Greenberg Professor of Holocaust Studies, will deliver a keynote lecture, titled, "Awake My People": Jewish Responses to Antisemitism in the Modern Period.” Additional talks will take place before the program officially begins in August.
Prospective students eager to start may apply now and take courses as early as March 2024 with electives in Antisemitism Studies already developed as a preview to the program.
Gratz College is grateful to the Isidore and Penny Myers Foundation for generously supporting the launch of the Antisemitism Studies program. Jay Myers, Board Chair, shared: “The Isidore and Penny Myers Foundation, a family foundation guided by Jewish American values, sees great worth in educating future generations about the roots of Antisemitism, and by doing so, working to combat it. This degree program will create scholars who can devote their talent to meet this challenge. Our Foundation is proud to support this work and by so doing, meet our obligation to help repair the world.”
Contact: lcohen@gratz.edu for more information.
Contact Information:Lori Cohen
Director of Marketing and Design
lcohen@gratz.edu
215-635-7300 x182
Original Source: Gratz College Launches America's First Master's Degree in Antisemitism Studies
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Nation’s Only Hotel for Homeless Dogs Celebrates Record Adoptions and Volunteer Milestone in May
The Hotel for Homeless Dogs
State-of-the-art animal care facility saving the lives of hundreds of homeless dogs.
CUMBERLAND, R.I., June 5, 2024 (Newswire.com) - The Hotel for Homeless Dogs celebrates record-breaking achievements in May, placing 100 dogs in loving homes and reaching 500 active volunteers in its walking program.
The 5-Star Hotel for Homeless Dogs, a beloved family-run animal shelter, proudly announces two significant milestones in its mission to provide loving homes for homeless dogs. In May, the shelter successfully placed 100 dogs into forever homes, setting a new record for adoptions in a single month. Additionally, the organization has reached an impressive 500 active volunteers, showcasing the growing community support and commitment to animal welfare.
These achievements highlight the shelter's dedication to rescuing and rehoming dogs in need. The recent surge in adoptions and volunteer engagement is a testament to the hard work of the staff, the generosity of the community, and the unwavering love for animals that drives The Hotel.
"We are thrilled to see so many dogs find their forever families and to welcome so many new volunteers," said Susan Joseph, Executive Director of The Hotel for Homeless Dogs. "These milestones reflect our community's incredible compassion and dedication to animal welfare. We look forward to continuing our mission and making a positive impact in the lives of homeless dogs."
For more information about The Hotel and how you can get involved, please visit www.HotelforHomelessDogs.com or contact@hotelforhomelessdogs.com.
About The Hotel for Homeless Dogs
A Beautiful Facility: Step into our world, and you'll discover more than just a facility; you'll find a sanctuary where every detail is designed to delight the senses. Our facility boasts a scenic setting, where the beauty of the outdoors meets the comfort of the indoors. Whether you're a potential adopter, a dedicated foster parent, or a passionate volunteer, you'll be captivated by the tranquility and charm that surrounds you at The Hotel. Our modern and pet-friendly facility is not just visually appealing; it's designed to provide comfort, security, and happiness for our canine residents. From spacious play areas for socialization to cozy kennels for quiet time, our facility is purpose-built to ensure the well-being and happiness of our furry guests.
Treating Dogs Like VIP Guests: At The Hotel, we don't just care for dogs; we pamper them like the VIPs they truly are. Every dog that comes through our doors is given the royal treatment. They receive top-notch care, affection, and attention from our dedicated staff. Our compassionate team understands the unique needs of rescue dogs and goes above and beyond to make their stay a memorable one. From playtime in our expansive yards to delectable meals tailored to their dietary requirements, we ensure that each dog's stay is as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. We understand that a loving environment is the first step towards helping these dogs find their forever homes, and we're committed to creating a space where tails wag, hearts heal, and dreams come true.
Contact Information:Susan Joseph
Executive Director
susan@hotelforhomelessdogs.com
401-572-9012
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Original Source: Nation's Only Hotel for Homeless Dogs Celebrates Record Adoptions and Volunteer Milestone in May
Rivers are Life Premieres ‘The Captain & the Super Clams’
MIDLAND, Mich., June 5, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Today, Rivers are Life proudly premieres its newest film "The Captain & The Super Clams'' which takes viewers to the east coast of Florida to Indian River Lagoon. This journey brings us alongside River Heroes Dr. Todd Osbourne and fishing legend Captain Blair Wiggins, as they work to restore the clam population that was decimated by unregulated commercial clamming in the 1990s.
From being on the water each day, Captain Blair noticed a dramatic decrease in the local clam population. Clams work as natural filtration systems and the water quality began to deteriorate in their absence, creating mass algae blooms that blocked sunlight from reaching the seagrass, which is a vital part of the Indian River Lagoon’s ecosystem. Captain Blair knew that action needed to be taken to bring the clams back, so in 2019, he teamed up with Dr. Todd Osbourne and the Indian River Clam Restoration Project.
After days of searching for surviving clams, the team was only able to find 39 that survived in an area that once hosted over 9 billion clams. These 39 “super clams” were then transported to the University of Florida’s Whitney Laboratory where the team carefully bred them, producing millions of clams that were ready to be returned to the lagoon. The Indian River Clam Restoration Project team continues to carefully monitor the quality of the ecosystem by collecting data and conducting scientific water tests regularly. The team is also taking an innovative approach to building new breeding areas within the lagoon, such as using a drone to spread new clams across large areas which used to be done by hand.
"As an avid outdoor enthusiast, what was happening here in the lagoon was easily noticeable and we knew that changes needed to be made," said Dr. Todd Osbourne. "Teaming up with Blair and the Indian River Clam Restoration Project has allowed us to take a scientific approach while incorporating local knowledge and grassroots efforts from folks who love living and fishing here."
"The Captain & The Super Clams" showcases the positive impact that a local community can have on their natural surroundings. By monitoring and noticing the negative changes in the lagoon over time, the Indian River Lagoon community was able to pivot and provide resources that will help restore their local waterway, bringing a thriving clam population back to naturally filter the water.
"The Captain & The Super Clams" premieres June 5, 2024
Watch "The Captain & The Super Clams" here.
Contact Information:Katie Horning
Head of Brand, Rivers are Life Brand Division, BeAlive Inc.
khorning@gobealive.com
989-491-1019
Original Source: Rivers are Life Premieres 'The Captain & the Super Clams'
