30 | SEPTEMBER 29 • 2022 
 
 
 
 

faces&places

On Sept. 11, the Serling Institute for 
Jewish Studies and Modern Israel 
celebrated the 30th anniversary 
of the Jewish Studies Program at 
Michigan State University. The 
event was held on the MSU campus 
at the Cowles House, which is a 
beautiful reception center. It is the 
oldest building on campus (1857) 
and, since 1941, has served as the 
official home of the MSU president.
The event was well-attended 
with a large audience of students, 
Jewish studies faculty and alumni, 
MSU administrators, Advisory 
Board members and Serling 
Institute supporters. Along with 
a fine buffet and Klezmer music, 
there was a program of prominent 
speakers, among them MSU 
President Samuel L. Stanley; 
former MSU President Peter 
McPherson; Dean of the College 

of Arts and Letters and the Honors 
College Christopher Long; and 
former Directors of Jewish Studies 
Professor Steve Weiland and 
Professor Emeritus Ken Waltzer. 
Current Jewish Studies student Ellie 
Baden also made remarks.
The keynote address was given by 
Michael Serling, who spoke about 
the history of the Serling Institute, 
MSU Jewish Studies and how he 
and his wife, Elaine, committed to 
supporting Jewish Studies at MSU. 
Yael Aronoff, Director of the 
Serling Institute and Serling Chair 
of Israel Studies, was the event’s 
emcee. She delivered comments 
on the growth and progress of the 
Jewish Studies program, expressed 
her gratitude to many faculty, 
staff and supporters, and read 
remarks from MSU Provost Teresa 
Woodruff. 

MSU Jewish 
Studies Celebrates 
30 Years

MIKE SMITH DJN ARCHIVIST

PHOTOS BY DANE ROBINSON

MSU President Samuel Stanley pays tribute to the Serlings. 

Michael and Elaine Serling, Director Yael Aronoff, and Eric 
and Debrah Abramson. 

Michael and Elaine 
Serling, center, with 
Serling Institute 
faculty, students and 
guests. 

Michael Serling delivers the keynote address.

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