June 11, 1998 Contact Pauline Austin (541) 346-3129 EUGENE--Inspired by the overwhelming public acclaim for its 1996 "Ethics After the Holocaust" conference, the University of Oregon today (June 11) announced a plan for the establishment of a new Judaic Studies program--the first degree-granting program of its kind in Oregon. A $1.5 million gift from the Harold and Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation, founded by Portland philanthropists Harold, Arlene and Jordan Schnitzer, will help establish the Harold Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies at the UO. The Schnitzers say their intention in funding the program is not to promote teaching of the Jewish religion but rather to increase students' understanding of different religions and cultures and their contributions to the history of civilization. "It's extremely important that we respect and understand our differences," says Harold Schnitzer. "That leads to better communication, and through communication, we can solve our societal problems." The Schnitzers say they also hope the program will help students learn about the causes of intolerance that leads to religious and cultural persecution. The type of intolerance that resulted in the Holocaust is still at work today in countries from Bosnia to Rwanda, they note. According to the Schnitzers, the success of the UO's 1996 "Ethics After the Holocaust" Conference was an important factor in their decision to fund the UO Judaic Studies program. The conference drew many of the greatest living Jewish scholars to the UO and attracted an audience of thousands, including television viewers around the country. "The conference rekindled a long-time interest on the part of students, faculty and community members in establishing a Jewish studies program at the university," says Dave Frohnmayer, UO president. "Thanks to the generosity of the Schnitzer family, this very important field of study will now receive the resources and attention it deserves through a program that will benefit our students for countless generations to come." The proposed Judaic Studies program will offer a multidisciplinary curriculum that will focus on Jewish history, culture and philosophy and will include instruction in modern Hebrew. The program will grant both minor and major degrees in Judaic Studies. "We plan to begin a national search for a central scholar this summer," says Joe Stone, dean of the UO College of Arts and Sciences. "We expect to fill the position by the fall of 1999." "The goal of this program is to make Judaic studies central to the core mission of the college," says Richard Stein, chair of the UO Judaic Studies Steering Committee, which worked on the curriculum. "We want Judaic Studies to have an impact on every department, from the humanities to the social sciences." Plans for the new program, to be presented this month to the Oregon University System board for approval, call for beginning the Judaic Studies degree program fall term 1999, but several classes are anticipated for fall term 1998. The Schnitzer CARE Foundation gift also will release a Knight Chair to the humanities in the College of Arts and Sciences. Phil Knight donated $25 million to the UO in 1996, $15 million of which is dedicated to the creation of endowed chairs across campus. The university pledged to raise an additional $15 million for endowed chairs to match Knight's investment. Harold and Arlene Schnitzer with their son Jordan--a 1973 UO graduate and UO Foundation trustee--are partners in Harsch Investment Corp., a real estate investment firm with properties in seven western states. The family has been very active in supporting the arts and many other causes in Oregon. Arlene Schnitzer received the UO Pioneer Award in 1985 and the Western Oregon State College Distinguished Service Award in 1988. Harold Schnitzer is a life trustee of Lewis and Clark College and is the present chairman of the board of trustees of the Portland Art Museum. In 1995, Harold and Arlene received the Portland First Citizen Award presented by the Portland Association of Realtors. Jordan Schnitzer serves on many boards, including the High Desert Museum and the Oregon Arts Commission, and was a founder of the Friends of Astoria Column. -30- #O-6128/Local,OrDailies,PDX,HigherEd