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March 18, 2005/Adar II 7 5765, Volume 57, No. 29
Jewish Studies director to leave ASU for Florida
LEISAH NAMM
Managing Editor
Jack Kugelmass, director of the Jewish Studies Department at Arizona State University for seven years, has accepted the position of director of the Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Florida. He will begin his tenure on July 1.
Kugelmass will also hold the Melton Professorship at the university and will be a member of the anthropology department, according to the university Web site.
A planning committee at ASU is drafting a vision statement "that builds upon the outstanding accomplishments" of Kugelmass, said committee chairman Joel Gereboff, chairman of the ASU Department of Religious Studies.
These accomplishments include three new endowed positions in the department, internationally recognized conferences on a variety of topics resulting in published books, community outreach and programming - including jointly sponsored series at local synagogues - substantial library development and tours to Jewish sites in Latin America and Eastern Europe, Gereboff said.
Since Kugelmass's arrival at ASU from the University of Wisconsin in 1998, the ASU Jewish Studies department has gained "national visibility through the above (programs) and the single most artistic and very rich annual newsletter from the program, as well as very high-quality publicity that speaks to the quality and expectations of the program, increased scholarship money for undergrads and graduate students and support for important projects," Gereboff said.
A search will begin in the fall to hire a new director of "international scholarly reputation and excellent administrative skills," said Gereboff. "Someone with vision and who will work with the full range of the significant number of faculty already present to carry forward their vision and accomplishments and bring his or her expertise and insights."
The University of Florida has more than 6,000 Jewish students - the largest campus of Jewish students in North America, Kugelmass said - as well as an extensive Judaica collection in its library and kosher meal plans available seven days a week.
"The downside (of the move) is that I've enjoyed my time at ASU," Kugelmass said. "I consider Arizona a great place to live and the Jewish community here a wonderful community. It's a place that deserves and needs to have a first-rate Jewish studies program."
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