Investments by The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation, The Milton and Tamar Maltz Family Foundation, and Norma Geller ‘87, complement ۿ۴ý’s endowments in Interreligious Studies, Islamic Studies, and Catholic Theology
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, OHIO – ۿ۴ý University today announced a $1.5 million gift from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation to establish an endowed chair in Jewish Studies within the Theology and Religious Studies Department.
The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Chair in Jewish Studies is also supported by a $1 million gift from The Milton and Tamar Maltz Family Foundation and a very generous lead gift from ۿ۴ý alumna Norma Geller '87, an early advocate of the University’s efforts to create the opportunity.
ۿ۴ý University is now poised to become a center for interreligious engagement around the three great Abrahamic traditions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, following the establishment of the Jack and Mary Jane Breen Chair in Catholic Systematic Theology in 2011, the Bediüzzaman Said Nursi Chair in Islamic Studies in 2003, and the Walter and Mary Tuohy Chair of Interreligious Studies in 1966 – the first chair of ecumenism ever established at an American Jesuit college or university.
“We are so grateful to the Mandel Foundation, the Maltz Family Foundation, and Norma Geller for investing in the ‘Inspired Futures’ of ۿ۴ý University’s students through the Jewish Studies endowment,” said Alan R. Miciak, Ph.D., president of ۿ۴ý University. “As a Jesuit Catholic institution, we welcome people of all faiths and worldviews. Our proximity to and engagement with Cleveland’s Jewish community, combined with the strength of our Theology and Religious Studies department, provides a natural gathering spot for the interreligious scholarship and dialogue that is so vital in our region.”
Dr. Jehuda Reinharz, President and CEO of the Mandel Foundation, added, “The Mandel brothers were committed to Jewish learning and understood the significance of interreligious engagement. Establishing an Endowed Chair in Jewish Studies will secure a permanent presence for the study of Jews, Judaism, and Israel at the University. Our hope is that this will foster conversations that move us beyond misunderstanding and towards a shared concern for the common good.”
Milton Maltz commented, “Tamar and I are delighted to support ۿ۴ý University’s effort to promote knowledge and appreciation for the Jewish religion. The endowed chair in Jewish studies will be a complement to the academic chairs already established in interreligious studies, Islamic studies, and Catholic theology. The grant from our family foundation will enable the University to engage in curriculum and program planning in the area of Jewish Studies and raise awareness of Judaism on campus and in the local community.”
The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Chair in Jewish Studies will support a full-time faculty member who will:
- Further develop the Jewish Studies curriculum;
- Advance scholarship in Jewish Studies through research and publication;
- Collaborate with the Theology and Religious Studies department, Campus Ministry, the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion (CSDI), and other campus partners to promote interreligious understanding and opportunity;
- Develop both short- and long-term options for ۿ۴ý students to visit and study in Israel;
- Coordinate public lectures, panels, and other programming on subjects relating to Jewish Studies and contemporary issues of interest to the Jewish community;
- Foster connections with local and regional Jewish communities by partnering with area synagogues and Jewish day schools;
- Support new undergraduate and graduate programs in Jewish Studies and interfaith engagement.
About the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation
Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel established their first foundation in 1953 in their hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. Their philanthropic legacy is continued through the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation and the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation. The work of the Foundations is grounded in the belief that exceptional leaders, inspired by powerful ideas, are key to improving society and the lives of people around the world. The Foundations have identified five areas of engagement that influence their decisions, which include: leadership development, management of nonprofits, humanities, Jewish life, and urban engagement. For more information, please visit www.mandelfoundation.org.
About the Milton and Tamar Maltz Family Foundation
The Milton and Tamar Family Foundation is a private family foundation that supports programs in the arts, health and human services, and education. Established by Milton and Tamar Maltz, the Foundation supports nonprofit organizations locally and nationally.