Mission

The Institute for Jewish Studies and Interfaith Understanding is dedicated to promoting greater awareness of religious and ethnic diversity worldwide in support of the university's commitment to open dialogue and to inspire a greater understanding of the issues and challenges that confront us at the dawn of the new century. The Institute's activities foster an appreciation of Judaism's historic role in thedevelopment of western civilization and an understanding of the cross-cultural development of the world's religions, while developing mutual respect and understanding among all peoples, races, and religions. To this end, the Institute develops, coordinates, and promotes educational and cultural programs related to Jewish history and thought and to Judaism's continuing dialogue with Christian, Islamic, and Asian faiths and traditions.

History

Initiated in 2002, with a $300,000 Challenge grant from the Dudley Cooper Trust, Old Dominion University announced the establishment of an Institute for Jewish Studies and Interfaith Understanding dedicated to the idea that interfaith understanding involves both an appreciation of Judaism's historic role in the development of western civilization and an understanding of the cross-cultural development of the world's religions. Since the Fall of 2002, the Jewish Studies minor has offered an array of courses in the arts, humanities, and social sciences taught by College of Arts and Letters faculty in a variety of disciplines. The Institute has sponsored student programs as well as study abroad opportunities in Israel and Central Europe. The Institute welcomes visiting faculty to enrich campus and community life. Two endowed lectureships the Evelyn Kanter Endowed Lectureship in Interfaith Understanding, established in 2005, and the Helen and Daniel Sonenshine Endowed Lectureship in Jewish Studies, established in 2007, form the centerpieces for the Institute's community lectures each year. Truly a collaboration between the university and the community, the Institute seeks partners and sponsors to offer annual lectures and cultural programs to complement the Jewish Studies minor and the Religious Studies minor offered at Old Dominion as well as the rich array of cultural programming provided by Jewish and interfaith agencies throughout the Commonwealth.

Facilities

The Institute for Jewish Studies and Interfaith Understanding is housed in the College of Arts and Letters, Old Dominion University. Its office is located in the Cooper Room, BAL 2024, in the Batten Arts and Letters Building, Hampton Blvd.

 For further information on the Institute's Programs and Activities contact:

Maura Hametz, IJIU Academic Director

Phone: (USA) 757-683-3946

E-mail: (mhametz@odu.edu)