Jewish Culture Expert to Speak at UB

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- An administrator and professor emeritus from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UI) will share his story at the University at Buffalo Sept. 7 about how he and others built a successful program in Jewish culture within a public university, something UB also is working to achieve.

Michael Shapiro, Ph.D., a former Buffalo resident and Bennett High School graduate, will speak at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 7 in the Poetry and Rare Books Room in Capen Hall on UB's North (Amherst) Campus. Shapiro co-founded the nationally recognized Program in Jewish Culture and Society at UI in the early 1980s and still serves as its director.

"We are delighted that Dr. Shapiro will be here to share his success story with us," said Michael Cohen, M.D., professor in neurology and pediatrics, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. "It is particularly timely and inspiring because UB is on the threshold of developing such a critically vibrant center for Jewish studies in Buffalo."

Cohen and Kenneth M. Dauber, Ph.D., professor in the Department of English in the College of Arts and Sciences, have been working with students, faculty, university leadership and alumni interested in establishing an Institute for Jewish Heritage and Culture at UB.

The recipient of several teaching awards, Shapiro has taught courses on topics including Shakespeare for more than 35 years at the University of Illinois. He also has taught at Cornell University, at Reading University in England and at Tamkang University in Taiwan and has been a scholar in residence at several other universities. Shapiro has started acting troupes and has written two books along with numerous articles and reviews. His current research revolves around Shakespeare. He also has held leadership roles in Jewish organizations in Champaign-Urbana.

UI's program on Jewish culture promotes the academic study of Jewish culture and society in the spirit of free and open inquiry appropriate to a public, secular university. Envisioned in 1981 as an interdisciplinary program by UI's ad hoc Committee on Jewish Culture and Society of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the program has grown and flourished. In addition to offering academic courses, the program offers a minor, supports student awards, sponsors lectures and study sessions, provides a speakers bureau and supports faculty and graduate students with research interests in the field.

"Over the years, it has become an invaluable source of Jewish knowledge and activity for the university, the local community, the Chicago area and the rest of the state of Illinois," Shapiro said. "It offers a unique opportunity for a variety of academics, politicians and artists with common interests in Jewish studies to come to campus and participate in courses, showcase their work, and talk to students, faculty and community members."

Shapiro's presentation will be free and open to the public. For more information about the lecture or the proposed UB Institute of Jewish Heritage and Culture, contact Deborah McKinzie, senior director of development in the College of Arts and Sciences, at 716-645-6000, ext. 1503 or mckinzie@buffalo.edu.