Metro

Reaching Rochester

Local Jewish contributors enable Oakland University to begin Judaic studies minor.

Diana Lieberman

Special to the Jewish News

I

n March 2005, Oakland University
held a month-long program of
Holocaust remembrance, coinciding
with the worldwide commemoration of
the 60th anniversary of the liberation of
Auschwitz.
An ambitious program of drama, video,
music, lectures and personal testimony
attracted audiences from throughout
Oakland County — including members
of the Jewish community who may never
have ventured onto the Rochester campus
before.
"It was a defining moment, not just for
me, but for the school:' said builder Robert
Schostak of Franklin, an OU graduate who
co-chaired the event.
"That program really triggered my
desire to do something more to connect
Oakland University to the Jewish com-
munity."
This year, for the first time since its
inception in 1957, the university will
begin offering a minor in Judaic studies,
funded entirely by private donations. The
Schostak Family Foundation heads the
list of donors, along with Lois and Mark
Shaevsky of Bloomfield Hills and several
other contributors.
This infusion of funds will add about
$135,000 over a five-year period, includ-
ing $25,000 for the start of a Judaic
studies endowment. These funds were
added to a 2004 gift to the university
by Birmingham-based attorney Henry
Baskin, president of the school's board of
trustees. His $500,000 gift began both the
Judaic studies coursework and a scholar-
ship fund for needy children of single
parents.
This year, the university also launches
a minor in Islamic studies, funded by
25 donors who have pledged a total of
$250,000 over five years. Major donors
are Sayed Nassar, an OU professor of
mechanical engineering; Dr. Chakrapani
Ranganathan, chief of neurology at St.
John Medical Hospital in Warren; and Dr.
Mostafa Abuzeid, a professor of obstet-
rics and gynecology at Michigan State
University, Flint.
A minor in Christianity is still in the
planning stages.

undergraduate and 4,036
graduate students. The
campus also houses
Thomas M. Cooley Law
School, with 455 students.
About 95 percent of
these students come from
Michigan, said Henry
Baskin. Although students
can live on campus, the
majority are commut-
ers, coming mainly from
Oakland County.
"Our goal is for people
who have no information
about Jewish or Islamic
culture and language to
learn the basics of what it
is to be Jewish or Islamic,"
Baskin said. "The minor
will attract Jewish stu-
Oakland University Hillel members: Jacqui Gordon, secretary; Jereme Goodman, treasurer; Adam
dents, but hopefully it
Kay; Joey Abrin, president; Stephanie August, Lunch-n-Learn chair.
will attract others as well.
Seeking Diversity
Holocaust Studies, Jews
The more people learn about Oakland
The Schostak Foundation
in America and Jews
University, the more interested they
gift and other contribu-
in Europe. Rather than
become.
tions earmarked for reli-
permanent course offer-
"We do need to attract more donors to
gious studies coincide with
ings, they were classed
make this program a success:' he added.
Oakland University's stra-
as "special topics."
The only Judaic studies course offered
tegic plan, said Ron Sudol,
This year, those four
at OU this semester is Seth Korelitz'
dean of the university's
courses have been
Holocaust class on Thursday evenings.
College of Arts and Sciences.
approved as separate
Korelitz, who earned a doctorate from
"Over the past year and a
curriculum topics. In
Brandeis University, spends his days
half, we have been engaged
addition, to fulfill the
teaching middle school Jewish studies at
in increasing the exposure
requirements for a
Hillel Day School of Metropolitan Detroit
of our students to more
minor, students must
in Farmington Hills.
Robert Schostak
world experiences, to lan-
complete a general
The OU class has only 10 students.
guages as well as to direct
course on religious stud- The last time he taught Holocaust stud-
studies of diverse communities:' he said.
ies or comparative religion. Other courses
ies at OU, enrollment was about 23. He
"We've had Judaic studies courses for
under consideration include philosophy
also has taught courses in American and
some time; we had no sooner established
and Jewish mysticism.
European Jewish history at Oakland.
the strategic plan than the Islamic com-
"We hope, if we can raise more money,
Other semesters, Rabbi Dannel Schwartz
munity came to us!"
to expand our course offerings and even-
of Congregation Shir Shalom in West
Paraphrasing author Thomas Friedman, tually hire a full-time faculty member:'
Bloomfield taught a class.
Sudol said the world is "flattening out!'
Shepherd said. "We also would like to
"It's an excellent university:' Korelitz
"Understanding a religion helps in
begin a scholarship fund of about $1,000
said. "Certainly, if you are someone who is
understanding that culture," he said.
each for five students annually!'
planning to live at home or in the commu-
"Minors in religious studies will help that
And, with the new financial support,
nity, you couldn't ask for a better oppor-
understanding."
the university should be able to waive the
tunity." The vast majority of those who
The new minors will consist of 24 cred-
10-student minimum enrollment, at least
take Judaic studies at Oakland University
its from six courses in the specific subject
until the program gets off the ground,
are not Jewish, he said. "Having a minor
area, along with an internship or study
Sudol said.
available, and offering a larger variety of
abroad, said Gary Shepherd, head of the
courses, could certainly help attract Jewish
university's religious studies program.
Spreading The Word
students."
Oakland U. has offered several Judaic
Oakland is one of Michigan's 16 pub-
This would likely happen even if they do
studies courses in the past few years,
lic universities. The fall 2006 student
including Introduction to Judaism,
Reaching Rochester on page 18
population was 17,737, including 13,701

March 15 2007

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