BY JULIE IRWIN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The study of Judaism at the University of Cincinnati is receiving a double boost -- promotion in status from program to department, and a $1.5 million grant.
The grant from the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati will enable the new department to expand from three to five faculty members and to offer more courses. Departmental status won't make a huge difference but will likely make it more attractive to job candidates, said interim director Roger Selya.
"I think the change is more psychological than anything else, more perceptual than anything else," said Mr. Selya, a professor of geography. Former director Benny Kraut was named chairman of the Jewish studies program at Queens College this year after 22 years at UC. His departure prompted the grant from the foundation, said foundation trustee Gloria Haffer.
"It was a program, not a department, and we were concerned the university wouldn't be able to continue funding it," Ms. Haffer said. "In order for us to take advantage of the fact that Benny is still here and could help us design a new department or at least make suggestions, we decided to act now."
The grant calls for the creation of a chair in Judaic studies, and $500,000 will be released when the chair is hired. There are 15 applicants for the position, Mr. Selya said. The additional $1 million will be disbursed upon the hiring of two tenure-track teachers, Ms. Haffer said.
About 120 to 150 students take classes each quarter in Judaic studies, which include classes on Jewish civilization and Judaism, Mr. Selya said. New hires could potentially double that enrollment. About two-thirds of the students who take Judaic studies classes are not Jewish.
