JUDAIC STUDIES
JUDAIC STUDIES ANNUAL NEWSLETTER
From the Director of the Bennett Center
During the 2024-25 academic year, which was so challenging for campuses across America, the Bennett Center emerged as a crucial resource for education, discussion, and debate about Jewish culture, Zionism, and antisemitism. We were gratified to see so many members of the Fairfield University and greater Fairfield communities attend Bennett Center programs and events. These included timely visits by world-renowned scholars, artists, and public intellectuals like Dara Horn, Art Spiegelman, Charles Dellheim, Susannah Heschel, Timothy Snyder, and Annette Yoshiko Reed, as well as an exclusive exhibit and symposium on the Polish Jewish anti-fascist artist Arthur Szyk. In a time of crisis, as campus leaders struggled to balance principles like free speech with equal protection for all students, the Bennett Center brought in leading voices in the national conversation. It was, at times, cathartic.
FALL 2023 – SPRING 2024 HIGHLIGHTS AND EVENTS…
Bennett Center Lecture in Judaic Studies
“In
the Haunted Jewish Present: On (Not) Confronting Antisemitism”
SEPTEMBER 19
Dara Horn, PhD, award-winning author of six books discussed the recent rise in antisemitism and problematized current Holocaust education in a lecture and round table discussion with Evan Bernstein, CEO and National Director CSS (Community Security Service) and former Vice President, Northeast Division, of the ADL. Co-sponsored by Congregation B’nai Israel of Bridgeport and Quick Center for the Arts.
“In Real Time – Arthur Szyk: Artist and Soldier for Human Rights”
SEPTEMBER 28
This event included an introduction by Irvin Ungar and lecture by Philip Eliasoph, PhD, followed by a viewing of Szyk’s artwork, which was on display at the Bellarmine Art Museum from September 29 to December 16. Co-Sponsored by Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield and Open VISIONS.
Two-day Symposium
"Arthur Szyk – ArtPropaganda – Memory”
OCTOBER 4 AND 5
Art Spiegelman – “Surviving Maus: Visualizing the Unimaginable”
OCTOBER 17
Pulitzer Prize winner Art Spiegelman gave a riveting talk about Maus, his classic, ground breaking depiction of the Holocaust in Poland. Co-sponsored with the Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County, Fairfield University Art Museum, and Open VISIONS
Adolph and Ruth Schnurmacher Scholar-in Residence Lecture
“Was Modern Art Jewish?”
NOVEMBER 2
Charles Dellheim, PhD, author of Belonging and Betrayal: How Jews Made Art Modern (2021) and professor of history at Boston University. In two days of lectures, presentations, and discussions, Dr. Dellheim told the story of Jewish dealers of Old Masters, champions of modern art, and victims of Nazi plunder. Co-sponsored by Congregation B’nai Israel of Bridgeport
Jacoby-Lunin Humanitarian Lecture
“Turning Inter-Religious Dialogue into Prayer: Transformations of Abraham Joshua Heschel”
NOVEMBER 14
Dr. Susannah Heschel, the Eli M. Black Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies at Dartmouth College, paid tribute to her father Abraham Joshua Heschel and offered her own vision for inter-religious dialogue in these fraught times. Cosponsored with the Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County and Open VISIONS.
The Light of Learning: Hasidism in Poland on the Eve of the Holocaust Book Launch
MARCH 6
Dr. Glenn Dynner, PhD, the Carl and Dorothy Bennett Professor of Judaic Studies and director of the Bennett Center at Fairfield University, launched his new book in Stamford, CT. The program included Hasidic music with the Jon Madoff Trio. Co-Sponsored with United Jewish Federation of Stamford, New Canaan and Darien, UJA- JCC Greenwich, Congregation Agudath Sholom, Temple Beth El, Temple Sinai, Young Israel, Chabad of Stamford, Chabad of Greenwich, JFSGreenwich, and Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County. This program was presented in tribute to the memory of Dr. Hesh Romanowitz.
Joan and Henry Katz Lecture in Judaic Studies
“On Tyranny: Propaganda, Politics, Persuasion."
MARCH 14
Timothy Snyder, PhD, the Richard C. Levin Professor of History at Yale University and a permanent fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna, discussed the dangers of authoritarianism in the U.S. and the world. Made possible by Debby and David Zieff and co-sponsored with the Department of History, the Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County, and Open VISIONS Forum.
18th Annual Lecture in
Jewish-Christian
Engagement
MARCH 20
APRIL 16
In a riveting roundtable discussion, Shlomi Eldar (Journalist) and Dr. Yuval Bitton (Israel Prison Service, Intelligence Division) recalled their experiences with Sinwar, the current military leader of Hamas. Cosponsored with the Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County.
Annual Holocaust Remembrance Service
APRIL 18
The service included music, poetry, prayer, and a presentation by two scholars from the Jewish Historical Institute in Warsaw, Poland: Monika Krawczyk, Esq. and Dr. Eleonara Bergman, entitled "The Underground Archive of the Warsaw Ghetto: A Presentation on the Ringelblum Archives". Co-sponsored by Campus Ministry and The Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County.
International Workshop in honor of Dr. Samuel Kassow
MAY 6
Scholars from North America, Israel, and Europe gathered to pay tribute to Dr. Kassow, the Charles H. Northam Professor of History at Trinity College. The daylong workshop on East European Jewish History was followed by a keynote address by Dr. Kassow entitled “Journalists in Hell: Reportage in the Lodz and Warsaw Ghettos.” Made possible by the Adolph and Ruth Schnurmacher Foundation.
Stephen Luckert, PhD, senior program curator of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, gave a keynote lecture entitled “Depicting Evil: Arthur Szyk’s Anti-Nazi Caricatures.” The following day’s symposium included presentations by Drs. Jonathan Petropoulos, Wendy Lower, Gavriel D. Rosenfeld, Glenn Dynner, Ori Z. Soltes, Francesco Spagnolo, Ellen M. Umansky, and Samuel Gruber. Israel Behind the Headlines: How Yahya Sinwar’s Leadership Changed Hamas
Annette Yoshiko Reed, PhD, Ancient Judaism between Christian Memory and Jewish Forgetting. Dr. Reed, the Krister Stendahl Chair of Divinity and Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at Harvard Divinity School, gave a talk about supersessionism and ancient Jewish and Christian literature. Co-sponsored with the Center for Catholic Studies.
Bennett Center Donor Reception
MAY 7
Major Donors, Judaic Studies faculty, staff, and University administrators came together for a wonderful reception, which featured an amazing comedian Joel Chasnoff and music by Jon Madof and his band.
Dara Horn, PhD, “In the Haunted Jewish Present: On (Not) Confronting Antisemitism”
“Arthur Szyk – Art-Propaganda – Memory”
Charles Dellheim, PhD, “Was Modern Art Jewish”
Dr. Susannah Hesche, “Turning Inter-Religious Dialogue into Prayer: Transformations of Abraham Joshua Heschel”
Timothy Snyder, PhD,“On Tyranny: Propaganda, Politics, Persuasion."
Shlomi Eldar (Journalist) and Dr. Yuval Bitton (Israel Prison Service, Intelligence Division).
Annual Holocaust Remembrance Service
International Workshop in honor of Dr. Samuel Kassow
Annette Yoshiko Reed, PhD, 18th Annual Lecture in Jewish-Christian Engagement
FACULTY FOCUS
Patricia Behre, PhD continued this year as Chair of the Department of History, completing a second term. Under her direction the History Department co-sponsored this year's appearance by Dr. Timothy Snyder. She taught her survey course, "Antisemitism: Medieval to Modern," to adult learners at the Bigelow Center in the town of Fairfield, as well as her regular European History courses at Fairfield University. Her research on Sephardic Jews in colonial Louisiana, and the history of atheism and skeptical thought, continues. This summer she will be a scholar-in-residence at a 2-week symposium on contemporary antisemitism in Oxford, UK, sponsored by the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2024-2025 PROGRAMS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 | 5 P.M.
The Joan and Henry Katz Lecture in Judaic Studies
“Jewish Identity in Contemporary Morocco: Memory, Reconciliation, and Citizenship"
Kelley Presentation Room
Dr. Aomar Boum, Professor of Anthropology and Near Eastern Languages and Cultures at the University of California, Los Angeles, will give a talk on Moroccan Jewry and the history of Jewish-Muslim relations from the 19th century to the present.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10 | 5 P.M.
"Hasidic Politics in America"
with Dr. David Myers and Dr. Nomi Stolzenberg
Kelley Presentation Room
Dr. Myers is Distinguished Professor of History and holds the Sady and Ludwig Kahn Chair in Jewish History at UCLA. Dr. Stolzenberg is Nathan and Lilly Shapell Chair in Law at the University of Southern California.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28 | 7:30 P.M.
Bennett Lecture for Judaic Studies
“An Evening with Bari WeissA Community Forum”
Kelley Theater, Quick Center for the Arts
Bari Weiss, founder and editor of The Free Press, former opinion writer and editor at The New York Times, op-ed and book review editor at The Wall Street Journal, and senior editor at Tablet Magazine, will discuss the current rise of antisemitism and anti-Zionism. Co-Sponsored with Open Visions Forum and the Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14 | 7:30 P.M.
The 27th Annual Jacoby-Lunin Humanitarian Lecture
“Mark Ludwig and the The Terezin Project”
Kelley Theater, Quick Center for the Arts
Mark Ludwig, a musician, historian and Director of the Terezin Foundation, will lead a scintillating program of music by Hans Krasa (of Brundibar fame), presented by Mark Ludwig, the Terezin Quartet, and a painter. Co-Sponsored with Open VISONS Forum and the Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County.
Spring 2025 programs are still in the process of formation. For details and locations and to register for events, visit fairfield.edu/bennettprograms. For general questions, contact the Bennett Center for Judaic Studies at bennettcenter@fairfield.edu or (203) 2544000, ext. 2066.
Glenn Dynner PhD, is the Carl and Dorothy Bennett Professor of Judaic Studies and director of the Bennett Center for Judaic Studies. A recent Guggenheim recipient, he is currently Editor of the journal Shofar: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Jewish Studies. His new book, The Light of Learning: Hasidism in Poland on the Eve of the Holocaust, written with the support of a Guggenheim Fellowship, appeared on Oxford University Press this year. He also co-edited, with Susannah Heschel and Shaul Magid, New Paths: Festschrift in Honor of Professor Elliot Wolfson (Purdue University Press). He was elected Associate Chair of Center for Jewish History Advisory Board, and continues to serve as YIVO Representative to the CJH Advisory Board and a member of the advisory Board of the CJH Archives and Libraries.
In his new role as Special Assistant to the President for Arts and Culture, Philip Eliasoph, PhD is exploring newly innovative pathways for student and community engagements in the arts and ‘life of the mind’ programing. Integrating Fairfield’s Ignatian Mission with an ongoing passion for Jewish education and learning, Philip strives to bring challenging and inspiring cultural lectures and programs to our community audiences inclusive of all ages, interests, and backgrounds. Over the past year, he has hosted at the Quick Center's Open VISIONS Forum many lectures and live interviews and is collaborating with the Fairfield University Art Museum, the Bennett Center, and the undergraduate Judaic Studies program. Since Oct 7, Philip has been consulting with community committees dealing with the emergency crisis in Israel. He continues his research on the Jewish political satirist Arthur Szyk by tracking down a set of recently revealed forgeries floating around the global art market.
Continuing to teach two courses a semester in the Department of Religious Studies, Rabbi Jim Prosnit serves through Campus Ministry as the University's Jewish Chaplain. He has been working with the associate director of Transition and Retention in the Office of Student Engagement, Marissa Lischinsky ‘12, in connecting Jewish Students through Kadima, Fairfield's Jewish Student Organization.
Karen Langton PhD comes to Fairfield University from the University of Houston. Her PhD is in Hebrew Bible from the University of Birmingham (UK). She presents at major national and international conferences and is chair of the feminist division of studies for the International Society of Biblical Scholarship. At Fairfield, she has contributed to the university by bringing in visiting artist Vivienne Rowett and organizing a student colloquium entitled Social Justice in the Humanities. In conjunction with the Fairfield University Art Museum's Arthur Syzk exhibit, Dr. Langton organized a student symposium entitled "The Art of Arthur Szyk: Student Reflections on Social Justice."
LUNCH AND LEARN
This Spring, forty adult learners attended “Jews in Modern Art” with Dr. Glenn Dynner. This class explored iconic works by pioneering Jewish artists like Pissarro, Chagall, Soutine, Modigliani, and more in the context of a rapidly changing world filled with both new opportunities for Jews and new dangers. The course also considered the impact of Jewish collectors, antisemitic critics, and Nazi looters. Co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County. Next year’s topic TBA.
MONTHLY SHABBAT SERVICES, ROSH HASHANAH, SUKKOT, HANUKKAH, PURIM AND PASSOVER
Rabbi Prosnit led monthly Shabbat Services in a new Interfaith Prayer space
on campus that were attended by Jewish and non-Jewish students, faculty, staff and members of the broader Fairfield community. A Shabbat dinner sponsored by the Bennett Center and Campus Ministry following each service.
Other activities during the 23-24 academic year included holiday celebrations for Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, Hanukkah, Purim and Passover. Jewish students from neighboring Sacred Heart University also joined in.
After the attacks of October 7, campus ministry provided a place for Jewish students to gather to discuss and process the events of that tragic day. Rabbi Prosnit was joined by Raz Amir a Fairfield senior from Israel and Ofek Moscovitz a shaliach (emissary from Israel working in the community) to help students understand and learn more about the hostages and the Israeli response.
CONGREGATION B’NAI
ISRAEL ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD IN JUDAIC STUDIES
Luiza Sperling ’24, received the Congregation B’nai Israel Academic Achievement Award in Judaic Studies, given by Congregation B’nai Israel in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to recognize outstanding undergraduate work in Judaic studies. Luiza has not only excelled in her academic work, but has been an enthusiastic and vital leader of Kadima, the Jewish Students Organization that is part of Campus Ministry. A native of New York City, Luiza is an English major with a concentration in creative writing. She has double minors in Judaic Studies and Editing and Publishing. Luiza uses her talents to serve as a contributing writer for both the Fairfield Mirror and Her Campus Fairfield.
Undergraduate Courses- Fall 2024
The following undergraduate courses in Judaic Studies will be offered this fall:
HISTORY
Early Modern France
Dr. Patricia Behre
Origins of the Modern World
Dr. Patricia Behre
OPEN MINDS INSTITUTE
“ART IN AMERICA: From Revolution to Insurrection”
Dr. Philip Eliasoph
RELIGIOUS STUDIES
Hebrew Bible/Old Testament
Rabbi Jim Prosnit
Jewish Interpretations of Scriptures
Rabbi Jim Prosnit
Hebrew Bible/Old Testament
Dr. Karen Langton
A Feminist, Gender, and Queer Reading of the Hebrew Bible: Finding New Voices
Dr. Karen Langton
Zionism and its Critics: Religion, Nationalism, and Violence
Dr. Glenn Dynner
History of the Jewish Experience
Dr. Glenn Dynner
BENNETT CENTER DONOR HONOR ROLL
July 2023 – June 2024
The Bennett Center for Judaic Studies was founded in 1993 by a gift from the late Carl and Dorothy Bennett of Greenwich, Connecticut. Endowments have funded the Bennett Chair in Judaic Studies, the Diane Feigenson Lecture in Jewish Literature, the Samuel and Bettie Roberts Lecture in Jewish Art, and the Littauer Fund.
We want to thank the following donors and foundations for their generous support of the Bennett Center and the Judaic Studies Program from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. Your partnership and generosity ensure that the Fairfield University Community and the greater Fairfield community can continue to benefit from the rich variety of programs and lectures offered by the Bennett Center.
A Special Recognition
We are deeply grateful to the Bennett Family Foundation and the Schnurmacher Foundation for their leadership annual support. The Bennet Center for Judaic Studies was founded in 1993 by a gift from the late Carl and Dorothy Bennett of Greenwich, Connecticut and the continued generosity and leadership of the Bennett Family Foundation has a direct impact on all the Bennett Center activities and programs.
FOUNDATION DONATIONS:
Bennett Family Foundation
Adolph and Ruth Schnurmacher Foundation
Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund
Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County
Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven
The Schwab Charitable Fund
The Zieff Family Fund Inc.
INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS:
Anonymous
David and Jessica Baehr
Stuart Belkin and Maureen Dewan
Alan J. Benet
Marc Bennett
Paul S. Berger
Robert & Marybeth Berkowitz
Naomi Bleifeld
Jonathan and Elaine Bowman
Mary Beth Brown '96
Doreatha O. Brueggemann
Peter and Cynthia Burnim
Robert and Judith Chessin
Barry and Marsha Cohen
Barry and Bobbi Coller
Joseph Confeiteiro '22
Eric '08 and Kelly Falcone '10
Murray and Francine Farber
Robert L. Feigenson
Andrew Feigenson
Arthur M'21 and Ellen Gang
Gail Goldblat
Jennifer B. Haynos
Robert and Paula Herzlinger
Robert and Judith Jacobson
Milton Jacoby '62
Robin '96 and Joseph Kanarek
Douglas and Sharon Karp
Ronald and Brenda Kleinman
Shelley Kreiger
Joel H. Lichtenstein
Dennis and Janet Magid
Samuel Miller
Stephen and Linda Murray
Niles P. Muzyk
Alan and Janet Nevas
Fred and Janet Plotkin
Sheila L. Romanowitz
Gerald and Elaine Rosenberg
Harold and Anita Rosnick
Barbara '75 and Evan Salop
Margo Schiff
Diane Schwartz
Paul and Lauren Seplowitz
Norman and Kathy Solomon
Ellen Umansky
Marc and Patricia Young P'10
David and Debby Zieff
Wallace and Deborah Zuckerman
Bennett Center for Judaic Studies
JUDAIC STUDIES FACULTY STAFF 2024-25 &
BENNETT CENTER DIRECTOR & UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM
DIRECTOR
Glenn Dynner, PhD
Carl and Dorothy Bennett Professor of Judaic Studies
ASSOCIATED FACULTY
Patricia Behre, PhD Associate Professor of History Early Modern France and Europe, Medieval Europe, History of Antisemitism, History of Atheism
Philip Eliasoph, PhD
Special Assistant to the President for Arts and Culture, Professor, Art History & Visual Culture, Director, Open Visions Forum, Quick Center for the Arts
Rabbi James Prosnit, D.D.
Lecturer, Department of Religious Studies
Classic Rabbinic Texts, Jewish Liturgy
Karen Langton, PhD
Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Religious Studies
Hebrew Bible, Gender Studies
Thomas Schmidt, PHD
Assistant Professor Religious Studies Also served as Acting Chair of Judaic Studies in the Spring of 2024.
BENNETT CENTER STAFF
Maria King Program Manager
ADVISORY BOARD
Marc Bennett
Robin Kanarek
Dr. Patricia Behre
Dr. Glenn Dynner
Shelley Kreiger
Doug Karp
Marissa Lischinsky
Barbara Salop
Rabbi Jim Prosnit
Peter Willner
David Zieff
Sheila Romanowitz
FRIENDS OF THE BENNETT CENTER AT FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY
Support the Bennett Center for Judaic Studies and make a gift that helps us continue to enrich the intellectual, cultural, and spiritual life of Fairfield University through lectures, programs, monthly Shabbat services, workshops, and the Archive Project.
Benefactor
Special Sponsor
$25,000+
$10,000+
Sponsor $5,000+
Patron $2,500+
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Bennett Center Programming $ Archive Fund $
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Give online: fairfield.edu/bennettcenter and click support, call toll-free at (877) 748-5123 (Visa, MasterCard, American Express), or mail check and form to Bennett Center for Judaic Studies, DMH 245, Fairfield University, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06824
BENNETT CENTER NEWSLETTER