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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NHCOA Will Host Its First Virtual Legislative Breakfast
WASHINGTON, April 26, 2023 (Newswire.com) - The National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA) continues its mission to ensure a dignified life for older adult communities in the United States. As a result, it has set out to be a voice for the community and to advocate for its key challenges in order to achieve substantial, timely and favorable change for all.
To accomplish this, NHCOA will host its virtual Legislative Breakfast on May 2, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. (EST) via GoToWebinar. The event seeks to open the discussion on key issues affecting Latinos before members of Congress, who will be the special guests of this new project. NHCOA also aims to bring together legislators and constituents to discuss legislative priorities and understanding from leaders of the older adult communities in the U.S. This event aims to facilitate discussions around the preeminent matters impacting older adults today, such as improving the access and affordability of drugs to treat obesity and Alzheimer's disease, as well as the importance of vaccination schedules that include immunizations against influenza, pneumococcus and shingles.
This space will also serve to address other issues related to health care for older adults, such as barriers to access to prescription drugs, health insurance barriers, and the importance of Medicare for communities. There will also be discussions regarding access to treatment for chronic diseases such as obesity and Alzheimer's and the challenges in caring for patients with these conditions and health disparities between black and Latino communities, exacerbated by the inequities uncovered by the pandemic.
The Legislative Breakfast will feature presentations by NHCOA experts along with national and international organizations working with older adults, among others. The event is free and open to the public.
RSVP here: bit.ly/3maGuVz
For questions, contact Christine Perez at events@nhcoa.org or 202-347-9733.
About NHCOA: NHCOA is the leading national organization working to improve the lives of Hispanic older adults, their families, and their caregivers. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., NHCOA has been a strong voice dedicated to promoting, educating, and advocating for research, policy, and practice in the areas of economic security, health, and housing for Hispanic older adults, families, and caregivers for the last 51 years.
For more information about NHCOA, call 202-347-9733 or visit www.NHCOA.org.
Contact Information:Christine Perez
NHCOA's Director of Programs
events@nhcoa.org
202-347-9733
Related Files
NHCOA's Legislative Breakfast Flyer.pdf
Original Source: NHCOA Will Host Its First Virtual Legislative Breakfast
World’s Largest Grower of Healthy, Flavorful Leafy Greens Says Watercress Can Improve Mental Heath
FELLSMERE, Fla., April 26, 2023 (Newswire.com) - May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and B&W Quality Growers (B&W), the world's largest grower of healthy, flavorful leafy greens, highlights nutrition's impact on mental well-being.
Mental health and nutrition are reciprocal. What people eat affects their mental health, and mental health influences how they think, feel, and act. The latest American Medical Association poll shows that 66% of American adults understand the connection, and 81% are inclined to improve their diet to improve mental health.
Americans agree that work (70%), family stress (68%), exercise (65%), and social habits (61%) have a more substantial impact on their mental health compared to their diet (58%). But, they agree that their diet (58%) substantially impacts their mental health. Additionally, of the variables that affect mental health, diet and exercise, are the areas individuals have the most control over.
When asked how they'd modified their diet, most adults said it was by drinking more water (66%) and consuming more fruits (50%) and vegetables (53%).
B&W has a quick way to improve someone's diet with the most nutrient-dense food on the planet — watercress. Watercress is packed with 28 essential vitamins, minerals, and compounds and is the only food to obtain a perfect score on both the ANDI and CDC indexes.
In addition to being the most nutrient-dense food on the planet, watercress also scores high on the Antidepressant Food Scale because of its nutrient-dense properties. For example, watercress has more folate than a banana and more Vitamin C than an orange. Watercress is also an excellent source of highly soluble iron, zinc, magnesium, and Vitamin B. All these nutrients are related to preventing and treating depressive disorders.
Awareness is key. Everyone should also know the signs of mental health struggles for themselves and those around them. This can include a change in eating habits, both over- and undereating, insomnia, changes in energy levels, shying away from others, feelings of despair, unexplained confusion, anger, guilt or anxiety, unable to perform daily tasks, unpredictable mood swings, considering self-harm, and indulging in alcohol or other substances more than usual.
There are several circumstances that can affect mental health, but there are ways to help reduce suffering and the chance of onset. Incorporating a healthier diet is a simple way to start.
About B&W Quality Growers
B&W Quality Growers has been farming responsibly since 1870. We're among the largest growers of distinctive leafy greens, including watercress, arugula, spinach, and ong choy. We sustainably grow, pack, and ship the highest-quality distinctive leafy greens, providing well-being for our consumers and value for our customers. We've done this with zero product recalls and aim to provide a healthier, more flavorful world using premium leaves in everyday recipes. For more information, visit bwqualitygrowers.com.
Contact Information:Ruth Bozeman
Director of Marketing
ruthbozeman@watercress.com
Original Source: World's Largest Grower of Healthy, Flavorful Leafy Greens Says Watercress Can Improve Mental Heath
