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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Willie’s Grill & Icehouse Celebrates 30th Anniversary Reaching Philanthropic Milestone of $1.5M
HOUSTON, December 4, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Willie's Grill & Icehouse, the brand that brings the classic icehouse experience to communities across Texas, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. The brand will celebrate throughout December with a discount that harkens back to the origins of the icehouse, as well as a commitment to continue their tradition of financially supporting communities across the state.
The restaurant, known for its family-friendly atmosphere and icehouse classics, closes out its third decade of service with more than $1.5M in monetary donations to various charities and public services within the cities where the brand operates.
Among the philanthropic programs are the Willie’s Grill & Icehouse Spirit Nights, in which local community charities are given a portion of the proceeds from a specific day’s overall sales. Their commitment to public servants is another important piece of the brand’s mission, as seen through their community sponsorships. Throughout the year, Willie’s Grill & Icehouse offers a 10% discount to first responders, teachers, firefighters, and nurses at all locations. Local law enforcement departments are also treated to 50% off their meals throughout the year at Willie’s. During their grand opening celebrations, Willie’s Grill & Icehouse hosts VIP soft openings where they invite educators, nurses, law enforcement, and other essential workers to dine for free throughout the day. Finally, all locations offer the Fire & Icehouse Lager throughout the year and a portion of the proceeds is donated directly to local fire departments.
All Willie’s customers are in luck throughout the month of December, as the brand is offering a Texas-sized discount on one of their original menu items. Every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday throughout December, Willie's will offer their original Cheese Willie Burger, the menu item that the brand was built on, for only $6.30 in honor of their milestone anniversary. The promotion, a ‘thank you’ to customers for their years of support, is valid for both in-store and online orders.
"We are thrilled to be celebrating 30 years of serving Texans our icehouse classics and welcoming families through our doors," said Greg Lippert, CEO of Willie's Restaurants. "Giving back to our communities has always been a pillar of who we are, and we look forward to continuing the tradition as the brand moves into our next era. We invite all customers to come and enjoy a delicious Cheese Willie Burger at a discounted price throughout December as a thank you from all of us at Willie’s Grill & Icehouse."
Contact Information:Rachel Austin
Publicist
rachel@hometownsocial.net
Original Source: Willie’s Grill & Icehouse Celebrates 30th Anniversary Reaching Philanthropic Milestone of $1.5M
