COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES 29 goals of our current faculty members is to engage in greater conversation with scholars adjacent to and outside Jewish studies. Jewish studies is inherently interdisciplinary—more and more, calling it ‘Jewish studies and…’ will be vital.” Without question, The Berman Center has played an important role in the field of Jewish studies in the region. “The Berman Center was the first major Jewish studies center founded in the Lehigh Valley, and remains the largest,” she says. “In its early days, many professors actually taught courses across different schools. It was the catalyst for a thriving Jewish studies scene that is now a part of many colleges and universities here.” An oral history of the Berman Center is being commissioned to preserve its history “and really get down the memories of everyone who has been part of the center or attended events. We’re hearing from people around the world,” Eichler-Levine says. Anyone interested in contributing a memory can contact Eichler-Levine for more information. Looking ahead at the Center’s next 40 years and beyond, Eichler-Levine expects to see more Jewish studies minors. “We’ve had a dramatic increase in minors as students of all backgrounds realize interdisciplinary learning of all cultures is central for making the world go ‘round. I also foresee more great books coming out in the near future. Two of our faculty members have books coming out this year. I foresee more conversations with world-acclaimed scholars.” Lehigh’s geographic location is an asset for the program, as well. “We’re situated in the beautiful Lehigh Valley, which is within a day’s drive or 2-hour flight of some of the top Jewish scholars in the world. I see the Center as a place that can continue to innovate and make connections in the field of Jewish studies for other people.” ● Exhibit and Talk”; in April, the Berman Center will co-sponsor a performance by the Pharaoh’s Daughter Band at Lehigh’s Zoellner Arts Center. Looking back over the last 40 years and particularly during her tenure as director, several moments stand out for Eichler-Levine. “Our visit from National Jewish book award winner Michael Twitty, author of Koshersoul, stands out. He’s a profound presence. Two other thrills were hosting authors Dara Horn and Joy Ladin, both groundbreaking Jewish women whose work has really influenced twenty-first century conversations,” she says. In some ways, it could be said EichlerLevine was destined to lead the Berman Center. Founding director Larry Silberstein held conferences regularly with scholars from all over the world coming to Lehigh. The proceedings on many topics—archaeology, politics, history—were all published. “I had one volume, The Other in Jewish Thought and History, on my shelf for decades and it really influenced me. Now I direct the Berman Center, which I did not predict when I picked that book up in graduate school,” she says. The center’s commitment to interdisciplinarity remains essential to both its current initiatives and future programs. History, too, is essential to understanding current events. “In order for students and the general public to understand anything going on today, they have to understand history and academic nuances,” Eichler-Levine says. “That’s the beauty of academic study—it makes room for a wide variety of voices.” In her own classroom for Modern Jewish History, students read primary documents from academic scholars “to make room for different voices,” she says. “Jewish studies does not exist in a vacuum. One of the biggest Berman Center director Jodi Eichler-Levine (far left) has brought to campus Siona Benjamin (left), Michael Twitty (center) and Yossi Chajes (right). CHRISTINE KRESCHOLLEK
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