SEPTEMBER 1 • 2022 | 11

with his wife, Elaine, provided
a naming gift in 2018 for the
program.
On Sept. 11, MSU will cele-
brate the program’s 30th anni-
versary with a lunch event at
the campus home of President
Samuel Stanley Jr.

“It’s grown dramatically,
”

Serling says of the program. “It’s
really a force now, and Elaine
and I are very proud of what’s
been accomplished.
”
Through the Serling Institute
for Jewish Studies and Modern
Israel, MSU offers classes in
American Jewish History,
Hebrew Language, Judaism,

Israel Studies and Holocaust
Studies taught by MSU profes-
sors and visiting Israeli scholars.
The Institute supports an
Israel study abroad program,
develops social and education-
al programming with other
campus student groups, and
provides community resources
such as a guide on antisemitism.
The September event will
reunite alumni and recognize
the program’s contributions to
the campus community.
“MSU is excited to be taking
part in the celebration of the
30th anniversary of the Serling
Institute,
” says MSU Deputy

Spokesperson Dan Olsen, who
adds that President Stanley has
said since his arrival in 2018
that maintaining a safe, wel-
coming and supportive campus
community is his top priority.
“MSU and the Serling Institute
have been actively engaged in
fostering a supportive academic
and social environment for our
Jewish students.
”

MSU ROOTS
MSU’s Jewish Studies program
began in 1992, and Serling got
involved in 1996, helping bring
the program from a $18,000
budget and part-time staff to a

$15 million operation with six
core faculty, 26 affiliated facul-
ty members and four visiting
Israeli scholars.

Serling, who graduated MSU
in 1966 and went to Detroit
College of Law (now MSU
College of Law) was inspired
by a Federation-sponsored visit
of 25 Israeli adults who came
to East Lansing and connected
with people in their fields. He
co-sponsored a reception at the
president’s house on campus,
where he met with then-direc-
tor Professor Steven Weiland.
“That ignited my passion for

continued on page 12

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: MSU Hillel features educational
and fun programming around campus for Jewish students. Retired
director of Jewish Studies Dr. Ken Waltzer, Michael Serling and Dr.
Yael Aronoff. Jewish Studies group in Israel in 2019. Israel at 70th
conference: Professor Oded Shoseyov, Dr. Ken Waltzer, Professor
Yael Aronoff, Elaine Serling, Michael Serling, Dean Chris Long,
Dean Sherman Garnett and Dean Steve Esquith.