Acceptance Through Judaic Study Programs BEN GALLOB The Art Show Cruises Only! Ltd. & Elkin Travel Inc. Best Bakery Hansel 'N' Gretel Body, Inc. Kidz Kloz Marilyn Brooks Raphael Salon Capelli Colour T.C.B.Y. Yogurt Studio Travelers World Carmen's Tommy Schey Tres Chic Petites Victoria Colony Interiors Weisman Corporation Cleaners Cortina "ā€˜ Ati sikit T Holiday Hours Open Sundays Noon-5 pā€¢m. 23 Weekdays TB S p.m., Dec. 14 Rd. North of Maple Orchard Lake - ifASSIP. MS,MARMAA:a he director of Jewish studies at a major university suggests the substantial numeric growth of such programs represents "an expression of American willingness to make room for the Jews and American readiness to look afresh at the Jewish ex- perience!' That evaluation was offered in a recent issue of Judaism, the publication of the American Jewish Congress, by Robert Chazan, then direc- tor of the Center for Jewish Studies at City University of New York. He is now chair- man of the Hebraic and Jewish studies department of New York University. Chazan began his appraisal by noting he had not made a wide-ranging scholarly in- quiry into the subject, but rather had based his conclu- sions on his experience as a teacher of Jewish studies. He wrote that Jewish studies programs "of substan- tial size are available throughout North America, in both public - and private universities. of all sizes and orientations." He also reported that "the smaller programs, often involving on- ly one or two instructors, are yet more widely diffused." Chazan found that the number of serious faculty in Jewish studies had grown consistently, "even during this period of general stagna- tion in university hiring." Though "by far the largest number of students attending these courses" is undergrad- uates, he wrote, "there is some professional training taking place," for example, "the combined social" work- Jewish studies programs of- fered at a number of univer- sities." To clarify any Jewish misunderstanding, Chazan stressed that the university is in no way "an arm of the Jewish community" and can- not function as a high-level Hebrew school. The universi- ty must offer objectivity and non-partisanship. He explained he was em- phasizing that basic universi- ty philosophy because many Jews "may feel that such an ovjective and impartial stance vitiates the vitality of Jewish studies programs for the pur- pose of Jewish identity and Jewish survival." He said Jewish studies pro- grams have enriched the university curriculum; have offered university students ā€” Jewish and non-Jewish alike ā€” the opportunity to unders- tand ingreater depth one of the western world's great traditions; "have opened the eyes of those unfamiliar with the Jewish past to its riches; and have offered those already committed the oppor- tunity for broadening and deepening their appreciation of the civilization with which they identify." He said it was legitimate for the Jewish community to wonder whether such pro- grams will untimately pro- duce desired benefits. Chazan wrote that, in the absence of a serious study of the phenomenon, "a moderate answer seems in order." He warned that Jewish studies programs "are certainly no panacea," as they "will not solve the lingering problems of anti-Semitism nor will they affect a renaissance of Jewish knowledge." Nevertheless, he contended, "they should not be under- valued." Jewish Telegraphic Agency UPCOMING ADVERTISING DEADLINES Health and Fitness (Feeling Good): Monday, December 21st Christmas Issue: Wednesday, Dec. 16 (non-camera ready); Friday, Dec. 18 (camera ready) New Year Issue: Fairlane Town Center Dearborn 56 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1987 MILANO FUR & LEATHER 271 W. Maple Birmingham Wednesday, Dec. 23 (non-camera ready); Monday, Dec. 28 (camera ready)