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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Alvaka Announces Water Cybersecurity Partnership With CalMutuals JPRIMA Insurance Administrator and Lloyd’s Coverholder
IRVINE, Calif., March 8, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Alvaka, a global provider of cybersecurity defense, remediation, and recovery solutions, announces it has been selected by Allied Public Risk, LLC (APR) to provide critical software patching services for water-related entities seeking cyber coverage via the CalMutuals JPRIMA program underwritten by Lloyd's of London.
"We are thrilled to have participated in the complex process of creating this affordable and easy-to-understand program," said Kevin McDonald, CISO and COO of Alvaka. The program launched earlier this year and is fully operational. "Our partnership with Alvaka, CalMutuals JPRIMA, and Lloyd's of London is intended to provide insureds with safe, reliable, and trusted cybersecurity solutions," said Paul Fuller, CEO of APR and Lloyd's of London Coverholder. Fuller added, "This partnership has restored confidence and stability within the water sector."
"It is heartening to have been selected as the quality of service required to get the coverage. We have spent decades perfecting the reach, quality, and reliability of our critical patching services. This is a wonderful validation and opportunity to help secure this critical infrastructure sector," said Len Tateyama, Director of Engineering at Alvaka.
"Water-related entities are finding it difficult to get any, no less affordable, cybersecurity coverage," said Susan Allen, CEO of CalMutuals JPRIMA. "This program is designed to help increase cyber liability insurance quality, affordability, and availability for our members. Furthermore, by selecting Alvaka as the go-to partner for patching of critical systems, we are helping guide members to trusted solutions," Allen continued.
Alvaka has a proven track record of delivering high-quality cybersecurity solutions to customers across multiple industries. Alvaka is well equipped to meet the unique needs of the water sector. "It's true serendipity that the White House announced a more aggressive approach to National Cybersecurity Policy, with heavy emphasis on water and other critical infrastructure this past week. The partners in this program understand the critical nature of our work. We are ready to lead in securing our most precious resources," said Kevin McDonald. "There is much to do but we see this program and the new government thinking as a great step forward in protecting water and recycled water services," McDonald continued.
The company's critical patching services will help customers stay ahead of the curve and protect against the latest cyber threats. In addition to critical patching services, Alvaka will be working closely with CalMutuals JPRIMA to provide cyber outreach and education throughout California.
The selection of Alvaka is a testament to its proven track record and commitment to providing the highest level of service for its clients. This is a significant step forward in the company's mission to help organizations protect themselves against the ever-evolving threat of cyber-attacks.
Contact Information:Kevin McDonald
COO & CISO
kevin@alvaka.net
(949) 428-5000 ext. 237
Original Source: Alvaka Announces Water Cybersecurity Partnership With CalMutuals JPRIMA Insurance Administrator and Lloyd's Coverholder
