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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The Grace Foundation and St. Joseph By-the-Sea High School Break Guinness World Record
NEW CITY, N.Y., January 27, 2024 (Newswire.com) - On Friday, January 26th, the Staten Island nonprofit organization, The GRACE Foundation, alongside St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School, broke the Guinness World Record for the World’s Largest Human Infinity Symbol to raise awareness surrounding autism. It marks the Second World Record for The GRACE Foundation, the first for St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School, and the third World Record set in the borough.
“Participating in this Guinness World Record event is more than an achievement; it's a vivid reminder of our ongoing mission at the GRACE Foundation,” said Cathy Del Priore, Executive Director of The GRACE Foundation. “The infinity symbol we created represents a never-ending cycle of support, love, and advocacy for neurodiversity. It's a promise that we, as a community, will always strive to uplift and empower each unique individual.”
On hand for the record-breaking event were Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, Councilman David Carr, Assemblyman Mike Reilly, Regional Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Jann Amato, representatives from Senator Andrew Lanza and Assemblyman Michael Tannousis, Michael Lanza, Chairman of The GRACE Foundation, several island-based nonprofit organizations and of course St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School students, faculty, staff and parents.
“We couldn’t be more proud of our students for being a part of this record breaking event,” said Father Michael Reilly, Principal of St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School. “They’ve made history alongside The GRACE Foundation and demonstrated their commitment to our community and this is something that they will carry with them forever.”
Last year, The GRACE Foundation broke its First World Record by creating the World’s Largest Human Puzzle Piece at Staten Island University Hospital Community Park. The #PuzzleForAutism Team, made up of Marvel Consults, PRcision LLC, Tekie Geek, Staten Island Media Group, The Integrated Athletic Initiative, Trade Mark Graphics, and The Carl V. Bini Memorial Fund, also organized and executed Friday’s Record Breaking Event which was sponsored by Empire State Bank, Northfield Bank, Catholic Charities of Staten Island, Tekie Geek, SIBOR, Merlino & Gonzalez, Hydr8 Nyc, and Victoria’s Educational Service.
“This event is a significant milestone,” said Brian Licata of Marvel Consults. “We didn’t just break a world record; we are breaking down barriers. It symbolizes our endless commitment to fostering inclusivity and understanding for the neurodiverse community, a commitment that we at the GRACE Foundation hold close to our hearts.”
The previous World Record holders brought together 998 people, this past Friday, 1,540 people were counted setting the new record. In addition to breaking the record, the event will also be featured in a segment being created for the nationally syndicated television show View Point With Dennis Quaid. The feature is slated to run this coming April during autism awareness month.
About The GRACE Foundation:
The GRACE Foundation is a non-profit organization established to improve the lives of individuals and families impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).ASD is a neurological disorder that impacts the development of language and communication skills as well as social interaction and relatedness.
For more information about The GRACE Foundation please visit www.graceofny.org
Original Source: The Grace Foundation and St. Joseph By-the-Sea High School Break Guinness World Record
