(MIDDLETOWN, CT) – John M. Shapiro '74 and Dr. Shonni J. Silverberg `76 have endowed a chair in Jewish Studies in honor of Professor Jeremy Zwelling.
"What we hope to accomplish is to ensure the viability of Jewish Studies at Wesleyan," says Shapiro. "We also have tremendous confidence in Jeremy and we felt that our gifts would enable him to fulfill his vision for nurturing the program."
Though Wesleyan has offered courses in Jewish and Israel studies since the 1960s, the discipline has grown tremendously at the University under Zwelling's stewardship. The program now offers a full complement of classes in Jewish religion, history, culture and the Hebrew language, as well as study in German literature and Yiddish music. Zwelling has also been instrumental in creating an interdisciplinary program that provides a Jewish and Israel Studies certificate.
Zwelling believes the support of Shapiro and Silverberg will keep the program moving forward.
"This generous gift by Shonni and John assures that Jewish studies will continue to flourish and be a permanent part of our curriculum," says Zwelling.
Which is exactly what Shapiro and Silverberg are working toward.
"What we really want to see happen is for the program to exist long after Jeremy and others have moved on," says Silverberg.
The gift follows several other gifts by Shapiro and Silverberg, including establishing the Visiting Scholar in Jewish Studies, contributing to the Class of '74 Endowed University Scholarship, and regularly supporting the Annual Fund.
For more information, contact Anne Bergen 860-685-3797.
