Professor of German Awarded Grant for Jewish Studies

Photo Submitted

Jennifer M. Hoyer, assistant professor of German

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Jennifer M. Hoyer, assistant professor of German in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas, was chosen to receive an $18,000 Legacy Heritage Jewish Studies Project grant.

“These programs are designed to bring greater understanding and awareness of Jewish studies not only to our students, but also to the community,” said Hoyer. “Presentations from experts in Jewish poetry and literature, art, philosophy, language and other subjects will be held in many locations both on and off campus.”

A partnership between the Association for Jewish Studies and the Legacy Heritage Fund has provided 13 grants over a three-year period to help universities outside major metropolitan areas develop Jewish Studies programs. The grants are intended to support innovative community and university programming that highlights local Jewish studies-oriented resources.

“This grant will help us bring together the Jewish studies courses that are already being taught by various faculty members in various departments and develop a more focused vision to further develop this area of the curriculum,” said Jacob Adler, associate professor of philosophy.

The University of Arkansas is one of four universities in the Southeast Conference without an endowed position in Jewish studies or a Jewish studies program, and it is one of only two universities within the conference to receive a Legacy Heritage Jewish Studies Project grant.

“Our theme for the series is ‘Beyond the Holocaust,’” said Hoyer. “While Holocaust study is a critical component of the study of Jewish culture and history, there is much more to discover and learn, and that is relevant for Jews and gentiles alike.”

Some of the speakers scheduled for the series are Jonathan Judaken, Spence L. Wilson chair in humanities at Rhodes College; Laura S. Lieber, associate professor of religion at Duke University; and several University of Arkansas faculty including Richard Sonn, professor of history; Daniel Levine, professor of world languages, literatures and cultures; as well as Adler and Hoyer. An exhibit of Arkansas Judaica will be on display throughout the year in Mullins library and other venues. 

The University of Arkansas’s programming will run from September 2012 to April 2013 with at least one event per month highlighting Jewish studies. Additional details about individual programs, presenters and how to attend will be released in the coming months. The program was made possible by the Legacy Heritage Jewish Studies Project, directed by the Association for Jewish Studies. Support for the Legacy Heritage Jewish Studies Project is provided by Legacy Heritage Fund Limited.