Dear Friends,
This year we celebrate 45 years as one of the foremost Jewish studies programs in the United States. From its inception in 1976, the Center has adhered to Sam Melton’s vision, namely to create and nurture a presence for Jewish Studies at the university and in the community. These past forty-five years have borne witness to an explosion of research, teaching and service to the community: our world-recognized faculty and students engage in a variety of programs and research endeavors; we teach over a thousand students a year in all aspects of Jewish Studies; our library Judaica collection is one of the largest in the country; our programs are supported by both the community and university; we regularly co-sponsor programs with other OSU departments and centers. In short, the Melton Center embodies a vibrant, important and invaluable Jewish Studies program.
During the past 45 years, The Melton Center has had a number of directors. Starting with Professor Bob Chazan who with Sam Melton’s support, founded the Center in 1976, other interim and full directors have included Professors Yehiel Hayon, Amy Shuman, Jeremy Cohen, Daniel Frank, and Matt Goldish. I am privileged in that I have directed the Center for close to thirty years – from 1988 to 2007, and again from 2013 to the present. During this period, the Center has added stellar faculty, increased its endowed programming, added two endowed graduate fellowships and two endowed professorships, introduced the Melton Coalition for Creative Interaction, and of course has continued to offer excellent programs to both the campus and community audiences. Even during two disruptive years of covid, the Center was able to provide virtual, online programs and classes.
We hope you will join us for this coming year’s many programs, including: the Thomas and Diann Mann Annual Lecture on Israel and America, with a program on Blackness in Israel; the annual Pearl and Troy Feibel Lecture featuring Professors X and X, who have created a video about antisemitism on American campuses. We will be providing more details on these and other programs soon.
As I look back on the past 45 years I cannot help but be proud of our many accomplishments. However, we are truly indebted to our many supporters and donors, who have enabled us to grow our program. This year’s newsletter highlights some of our most fervent supporters, including Sam Melton himself; Tom and Diann Mann; The Feibel Family (LIST THEM?); Renee and Meryll Levine; and The Schottenstein family. The Melton Center is only as vibrant as its members and supporters, and we have you to thank.
Shanah tovah and warmest wishes for a healthy year,
T.M. Rudavsky
Director, Melton Center for Jewish Studies
