Syracuse University’s Jewish studies program was recently awarded funding from the Phyllis Backer Foundation Inc. for a named professorship in modern Jewish studies.

Leonard Elman was named president of the foundation after Phyllis Backer died in March 2016. Elman said the foundation’s board voted unanimously to fund the endowment with a total of $1.5 million over the course of five years.

“I’m an alum … familiar with the Jewish studies program at Syracuse,” Elman said. “I suggested this was needed.”

Elman, a member of the board of visitors for the College of Arts and Sciences, said he knew Backer for a number of years when he worked as her lawyer. She lived a modest life and died with no family members who could inherit her wealth, Elman said.

Backer wanted her money to be given to charities that had either Jewish or educational purposes, Elman said. The foundation aims to award $8.5 million over the next 10 years, he added.

“It’s a way of commemorating her and perpetuating her in memory, forever, as opposed to an operating charity that spent the money,” Elman said. The funds will be provided to SU in five installments, he added.

Elman said he hopes the professorship strengthens the Jewish studies program and the entire College of Arts and Sciences.

Karin Ruhlandt, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said SU has started advertising the position and will start the interviewing and hiring process next academic year. The search for the program’s professor will take two years, she said.

The new professor would teach modern Jewish studies and take a research-driven approach to teaching, Ruhlandt added.

Ruhlandt said she believes modern Judaism is a topic more important now than ever because religious diversities aren’t necessarily appreciated.  

“I think this is an absolutely critical piece to become a contributor to a democratic society — to know as much about other cultures and religions as you can and learn appreciation for them as well,” Ruhlandt said.

Jewish studies at SU is not limited to just religion, which is evident by many professors’ decisions to not study just one religion but everything in a cultural context, she said.

Zachary Braiterman, director of Jewish studies, said the program is interdisciplinary in its approach. He said the program is looking for a junior professor who has training in Jewish studies and religion, and can collaborate with other departments across campus.

Braiterman said Jewish culture is a prime example of global community.

“(Judaism is) an example of something larger, and it has its own characteristics and peculiarities that make it interesting … for what it brings to study of literature, the study of history, the study of religion,” Braiterman said.

Published on November 5, 2017 at 9:49 pm

Contact Katelyn: kmfaubel@syr.edu