January 23, 2006
Collaboration between Nova Southeastern University, Hebrew College
Will Create a Major Center for Jewish Learning in South Florida
FT. LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, Fla. (Jan. 12) – In a move that will sharply expand Jewish educational opportunities in South Florida, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) and Boston’s Hebrew College today announced a major collaboration between the two academic institutions.
Plans call for the training of early childhood education and day school teachers, Hebrew language and Jewish studies courses for graduate and undergraduate students, and adult learning and professional training programs.
The two schools will join to form a Center for Public Policy and Religion, Hebrew College President David M. Gordis and NSU President Ray Ferrero, Jr. said in a joint statement today.
Under discussion for more than a year, the collaboration is expected to create a center for Jewish education and learning in South Florida, the second largest Jewish community in the United States.
“This collaboration with Hebrew College complements the coursework NSU currently provides that celebrates diversity. We are proud to be involved in helping to keep the rich traditions and educational philosophies of the Jewish religion thriving in our community,” said President Ferrero.
President Gordis said the College has already begun working with Jewish leaders in South Florida to create an institution which will be guided by academics, professionals and lay leaders to meet the needs of the community.
“We have a distinct need for more trained teachers and administrators for Jewish day schools and affiliated educational entities, including adult Jewish learning centers. This collaboration couldn’t come at a better time.”
Gordis added that the two institutions will officially launch the collaboration with a symposium on “The Changing Tapestry of Religion in America” hosted by the newly created Center for Public Policy and Religion on Jan. 23, 4:30 p.m. at NSU (3200 S. University Drive, Davie).
Guest speakers will include Reverend Nick Carter, president of Andover Newton Theological School, Dr. Sherman A. Jackson, professor of Arabic and Islamic studies at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and Dr. Gordis. The program will be free and open to the public.
The first classes offered by the two schools will begin in the spring semester. Adult community education programs, including the nationally-recognized Me’ah program which exposes students to core Jewish texts and scholarly secondary sources through reading, lectures and discussion, are expected to be offered later in the year.
NSU is the largest independent institution of higher education in the Southeastern U.S. with more than 27,000 students. NSU awards associates, bachelor’s, masters, educational specialist, doctoral and first-professional degrees in a wide range of fields. The institution also enjoys an excellent reputation for its programs offered at the Mailman Segal Institute for Early Childhood Studies, Jim and Jan Moran Family Center Village and University School, a pre-kindergarten through 12 private college preparatory school.
Hebrew College, a leader in transdenominational Jewish education since 1921, provides graduate and undergraduate study and prepares students for careers in the rabbinate, cantorate, Jewish education, and communal professions.
Among those working closely with the two presidents in the creation of the collaboration are Harold Wishna, director of Hebrew College South; NSU Health Professions Division Chancellor Fred Lippman, NSU Health Professions Division Vice Chancellor Irving Rosenbaum, and Rabbi Zachary Heller, associate director of Hebrew College’s National Center for Jewish Policy Studies.
Contacts:
Barry Wanger
Hebrew College
617-965-6469
Barbra Gonzalez
Nova Southeastern University
954-262-5354
