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Bennett Center For Judaic Studies
The Bennett Center for Judaic Studies is an academic center that strives to enrich the intellectual, cultural, and spiritual dialogue of Fairfield University. Continuing the vision of Carl and Dorothy Bennett, the Center offers continued learning experiences and greater campus-wide awareness of Jewish history, ethical values, and religious observance. It also seeks to engage the Greater Fairfield communities through lectures and annual programs. The Bennett Center works in collaboration with the undergraduate interdisciplinary Judaic Studies program, the Center for Catholic Studies, Campus Ministry, local Jewish community organizations, and other partnering centers and offices.
Since the Bennett Center’s inception in September, 1994, through an endowment by Carl and Dorothy Bennett to Fairfield University, Dr. Ellen M. Umansky has served as both the Carl and Dorothy Bennett Professor of Judaic Studies (a faculty position within the university's Department of Religious Studies) and Director of the Bennett Center. The Center receives financial support from numerous individuals and foundations, including the Carl and Dorothy Bennett Foundation, the Adoph and Ruth Schnurmacher Foundation, Larry Roberts and Suzanne Novik, Andrew and Robert Feigenson and family, David and Edith Chaifetz, and the Frank Jacoby Foundation maintained by Debby and David Zieff. Through these gifts, the Bennett Center has brought many world-renowned lecturers to the University, including Pulitzer Prize finalist in fiction, Nathan Englander; The New York Times Op-Ed columnist and author, Tom Friedman; Rabbi and theologian Yitz Greenberg; lawyer and activist Khizr Khan; American diplomat and author Dennis Ross; American Jewish historian, Jonathan Sarna; former US Ambassador to Israel, Dan Shapiro; Meet the Press moderator, Chuck Todd; painter, sculptor, and photorealist, Audrey Flack; and Nobel Peace Prize winner and author, Elie Wiesel.
Particularly successful has been Ellen Umansky’s Lunch and Learn series, an annual eight-week course that attracts up to 50 adult participants from the greater Fairfield/Bridgeport communities. The series tackles academically challenging themes, such as Ethical Questions, Jewish Responses; Jewish-Christian Relations; Modern Jewish Perspectives on Judaism and Jewish Self-Identity; and Jewish Concepts of the Sacred.
From the establishment and retention of the Chair in Judaic Studies to monthly Shabbat services, an annual service in remembrance of the Holocaust, workshops open to the university community, and its comprehensive resources and outreach programs, the Bennett Center for Judaic Studies has established a permanent and growing reputation in the Fairfield County community - reaching out to its 70,000 Jewish residents and neighbors effectively and prolifically - as well as to many others. Through the Center, Fairfield University continues to be committed to building a bridge of understanding between the Jewish and Jesuit traditions.
KADIMA is Fairfield University's Jewish undergraduate club, under the guidance of Fairfield University’s Jewish Chaplain, Rabbi Jim Prosnit, and club advisor Marissa Lischinsky ’12, associate director of Student Engagement. Among the special events it held during the 2019-2020 academic year, were a Chanukah party (with dreidels and latkes) in December and a Purim celebration in early March, before the Covid-19 virus curtailed all activities on campus. Although on-campus monthly Shabbat services and dinners were replaced with Zoom services, well attended by faculty, students and their families through June, virtual conversations, and new ideas for the 2020-2021 academic year were formulated. All who were involved in KADIMA during the past academic year, are hopeful for "in person" connections this fall.
Contact

Jennifer Haynos
Program Manager
(203) 254-4000 ext. 2065
Advisory Board

Robin Kanarek

Patricia Behre

Marc Bennett

Doug Karp
DOUG KARP is the managing partner of Pacific Partners, a private equity and advisory firm focused on healthcare innovation. His professional background includes founding Tailwind Capital, serving as a member of Operating Committee of Warburg, Pincus and as managing director of Salomon Brothers. He is a founding director of Horizons National (educational opportunity), served as chair of Morningside Nursing Home (Bronx, NY) and as a director of the City Parks Foundation.

Shelley Kreiger

Marissa Lischinsky

Jim Prosnit

Sheila L. Romanowitz
Sheila L. Romanowitz has worked in Jewish communal service for much of her adult life. She served as Executive Director, Office of the President and Chair of the Board at UJA-Federation of New York; COO at UJA Federation of Greenwich; and Executive Director of the United Jewish Federation of Stamford. For her work in promoting interdenominational understanding and communication, she was honored with the Young Israel of Stamford's Community Service Award and received recognition from a uniquely pluralistic Board of Rabbis. Together with her late husband, Dr. Harry S. Romanowitz, she received the Daniel R. Ginsburg Humanitarian Award from the ADL and the Heritage Award from the Jewish Historical Society. A resident of Connecticut for the past 45 years, she currently serves on the Board of SilverSource, a leading resource for older adults.

Barbara Salop

Ellen Umansky

Peter Willner

Peter Willner, EdD
Peter Willner has devoted his professional career to serving as an advocate for education, civil rights, and philanthropy. He was founding Executive Director of Cooperative Educational Services (CES), a public-school Regional Education Service Center in Fairfield County, and in 1987 transitioned his career to join UJA-Federation of New York as its Executive Director for Organization & Development. In 1991, he became the Anti-Defamation League’s chief operating officer responsible for overseeing its administrative and all fundraising operations. Most recently, until his retirement, Peter served as the National Executive Director and CEO for the American Friends of Hebrew University (AFHU). Today, he manages JANID Advisors, a boutique consulting firm specializing in non-profit management and fundraising. He is a member of the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation, a Trustee of the Town of Fairfield Library, on the Congregation Beth El Board and a member of the National Executive Service Corps Board of Directors.

David Zieff
EX OFFICIO MEMBERS

Karen Guckert Kaiser

Jennifer Haynos
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