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
Latest Fit News
For National Men’s Health Month, B&W Quality Growers Recommends Adding Watercress to Men’s Diets
FELLSMERE, Fla., June 7, 2023 (Newswire.com) - For National Men's Health Month, B&W Quality Growers - the world's largest grower of healthy, flavorful leafy greens - recommends adding watercress to men's diets, which may improve overall health. On average, women live five years longer than men, and consuming this superfood could better those odds. As the only food to score perfect on the ANDI and CDC indexes, watercress is packed with nutrients to help combat cardiovascular disease, mental health conditions, and obesity - which run a higher risk in men.
Cardiovascular disease - including heart attack, arrhythmia, and heart failure - is the leading cause of death for men in the U.S., affecting about one in four men and killing 350,000 men annually. One of the key players in watercress, the world's most nutrient-dense food, is Vitamin K. Watercress contains over 100% of your recommended daily serving in just one cup (34g) and has been linked to improving cardiovascular health as it helps strengthen capillary walls, preventing them from bulging and breaking, and increases blood flow by preventing clotting. A recent Harvard study shows that people with the highest intake of Vitamin K were 21% less likely to be hospitalized with cardiovascular disease than those with the lowest values.
Men are also at a higher risk of depression, with a reported 30.6% of men in the U.S. suffering in their lifetime. Eating high-quality foods that contain lots of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, like watercress, nourishes the brain and protects it from oxidative stress, which damages cells. Watercress is also an excellent source of highly soluble iron, zinc, magnesium, and Vitamin B. All these nutrients may help prevent and treat depressive disorders.
In addition, 40.5% of American men over the age of 20 are considered obese, which is more than the 27.5% of obese American women. Many factors contribute to the obesity differences in genders, one likely being diet. Statistically speaking, men are reported to eat more meats and dairy products while women consume more fruits and vegetables. Watercress is high in vitamins, minerals, and compounds and low in calories - incorporating watercress into a diet can decrease appetite without the extra calories and assist with weight loss.
Many factors affect our physical and mental health, but with men being at a higher risk in certain areas, consuming watercress could be the edge they need to stay ahead.
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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: For National Men's Health Month, B&W Quality Growers Recommends Adding Watercress to Men's Diets
